Louth councillor welcomes derelict property tax as key tool in tackling housing crisis
"We also need a particular focus on rural dereliction,” she said.
Louth Fine Gael councillor Rachel Kerley has welcomed the derelict property tax and backed Tánaiste Simon Harris's call for stronger national action on dereliction, saying it is essential if Ireland is to address its housing shortage.
Cllr Kerley said: "I welcome the derelict tax and I welcome the Tánaiste taking this position. Taxing dereliction is exactly the right approach. It puts a real cost on leaving a property to rot while families are crying out for homes, and it gives owners a clear incentive to either bring a building back into use or sell it on to someone who will.
"Where the tax is properly applied and enforced, it works. The challenge is making sure that happens consistently and changes behaviour.
"We also need a particular focus on rural dereliction. There are derelict and vacant homes in our villages and across the countryside that could be brought back to life, and that has to go hand in hand with the recent changes to rural planning.
“Renewing what's already there is one of the most sustainable ways to support rural communities and keep people living in the areas they're from.
"Every derelict building brought back into use is a home for a family and a boost for our towns, villages and rural communities. The derelict tax is a strong tool, and I want to see it used to its full potential. I'll be pushing for that."
Speaking ahead of the cabinet meeting at Government Buildings on Tuesday, Simon Harris said that during the full year of 2024 11 local authorities did not collect any money using the Derelict Sites Levy.