'Outrage' say Labour Cork representatives as they call for review of dereliction legislation

TWO Labour Party local election candidates in Cork have called for State-wide measures to end vacancy and dereliction.

Laura Harmon, who is standing for Labour in Cork South West in the 2024 local elections, and Peter Horgan, who is running in Cork South East, have described the current vacant home tax as an ineffective policy measure through which to tackle vacancy.

“It is an outrage that in the midst of an acute housing crisis, over 900 properties across the South West ward, running from Bishopstown to Ballincollig sit idle, either vacant or derelict,” Ms Harmon said.

“The prevalence of dereliction and vacancy amid a dire housing shortage is a clear failure of government policy.” 

She added that to have one vacant home in the middle of a housing crisis would be outrageous, but, she said, there were currently over 3,000 vacant properties on Cork city’s Southside.

“Local Property Tax returns indicate that there are 57,206 vacant properties nationwide, and the Census estimates that the number is closer to 166,752, excluding 66,135 seasonal holiday homes,” she said.

“Families are struggling to secure suitable accommodation, while properties, which could serve as homes, remain neglected. This issue is not only about housing; it’s about fundamental social responsibility. Every vacant or derelict property represents a missed opportunity to provide a safe and secure home for someone in need.

REVIEW DEMAND

Mr Horgan said the Labour party was demanding a review of the exemptions under the vacant home tax and calling on Government to introduce more effective measures to get these empty homes to the people and families who need them.

“To get to grips with the scale of the vacancy and dereliction problem nationwide, a scourge on all our communities, Labour called for an increased Vacant Homes Tax, with a €2,000 minimum charge.

“We are now urging Government to examine the extensive exemptions list and drive change in the housing market,” Mr Horgan said.

“Local authorities must also be given the teeth and funding needed to get to grips with this vacancy crisis.” He added that if Government were to collate housing data effectively, and if an identified property remained empty, then the vacant housing officers in each local authority should be resourced to proceed with compulsory purchase order (O) proceedings.

“Each local authority could have targets on returning vacant and derelict properties into use,” he said. “That would truly bring about change for those on the hard end of the housing crisis.”