Vacant homes tax has limited effect while families need homes
Vacant homes tax has limited effect while families need homes - The Labour Party
Labour housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan TD has today called on Government to strengthen enforcement of the Vacant Homes Tax and fund councils to bring empty properties across Ireland back into use. Responding to the Comptroller and Auditor General’s findings that low declaration rates limit the tax’s effect, Deputy Sheehan urged the Ministers for Finance and Housing to act urgently.
Deputy Sheehan said:
“A tax designed to bring empty homes back onto the market cannot do its job if liable properties escape the net. These findings expose another gap between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s housing promises and delivery.
“Behind every empty home is a missed opportunity to provide someone with a secure place to live. Renters face enormous pressure, young people struggle to buy and families need homes. Government cannot afford to leave existing housing unused.
“We in Labour have been calling for a national survey of vacancy and dereliction to establish a comprehensive database and fund councils to compulsorily purchase properties left vacant or derelict for more than three years through a streamlined process. Councils need the staff, funding and powers to turn neglected buildings into homes.
“Government must take action and put real resources behind this half-hearted attempt to tackle vacancy and dereliction. We can’t bury our heads in the sand and wait on another derelict property tax, we need action now. That means enforcing the Vacant Homes Tax and giving councils the resources and power to bring empty properties back into use.”