Limerick actively addresses derelict sites; others lag behind

Many local authorities in Ireland are not using a law that allows them to charge a levy on derelict sites. According to the latest figures from the Department of Housing, ten councils have not imposed any levies on the owners of derelict properties. Limerick City and County Council has the highest number of derelict sites, totaling 412. This is more than all four local authorities in Dublin combined. Dublin City Council, for example, has only 121 derelict sites. Limerick has actively sought to identify and address these properties, collecting over €286,000 in levies in 2023. Other councils, like Wicklow, say they lack the resources to pursue derelict properties actively. The derelict sites levy was increased from 3 to 7 percent in 2020. While many councils have not levied owners, nationwide, there is a total of over €20 million in outstanding derelict site levies. The Department of Housing noted that councils have used more than €142 million to purchase vacant properties for future use. This effort aims to turn these derelict sites into homes, with the potential to create nearly 5,000 residences from the identified properties.