Over half of Ireland's councils neglected levies for years

A report shows that over half of Ireland's local councils did not collect any Derelict Sites Levy in 2023, leaving them owed more than €20 million. Seventeen out of 31 councils failed to collect levies from landowners. Dublin City Council had the highest outstanding amount, owed €6.7 million, while Cork City Council was owed nearly €5 million. Some councils cited issues like property ownership changes and staffing shortages as reasons for not collecting levies. Limerick City and County Council was the only authority to nearly collect the full amount levied, receiving €245,166 out of €259,940. The number of derelict sites in Ireland increased to 1,913 by the end of 2023.