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Vacant Sites

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 November 2021

Thursday, 11 November 2021

Ceisteanna (43)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

43. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of demands and the value of same for the vacant site levy issued by Galway City Council and Galway County Council in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the amount of the vacant site levy collected by Galway City Council and Galway County Council in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55191/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the vacant site levy provisions in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015, planning authorities were empowered to apply a vacant site levy of 3% of the market valuation of relevant properties which were listed on local authority vacant site registers in 2018, which relevant owners were liable to pay in January 2019. The rate of the levy increased to 7% for sites listed on local authority vacant sites registers from 2019 onwards which site owners became liable to pay in January 2020.

My Department proactively engages with local authorities with a view to ensuring that the vacant site levy achieves its full potential in terms of bringing concerned sites into productive use. In this regard, my Department issued Circular Letter PL 03/2021 on 8 March 2021 requesting the submission of a progress report on the collection of the levy by each local authority. This return included the data requested and is provided in the attached spreadsheet.

It should be noted that the vacant site levy is collected in arrears. The levy due in respect of 2020 is collected in 2021. Local authorities are still issuing demands in respect of 2020. A number of local authorities noted delays in issuing payment demands in respect of 2020 due to COVID-19. Local authorities can continue to issue demands for payment of the levy in respect of 2021.

All levies due on an individual site will remain a charge on the land concerned until all outstanding levies due are paid. Accordingly, under the vacant site levy provisions, there will be a cumulative effect associated with not activating a site for development purposes for each year that a site remains vacant or idle and in respect of which levy liability is not paid.

Vacant Site Levy

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