Cork City Council owed almost €5m from landowners

Cork City Council has a total of €4.9m outstanding, while Cork County Council does not have any uncollected levies. 

However, the county authority did not issue any levies despite 52 derelict properties remaining on their register at the end of 2023.

• Across the country, there are 1,913 derelict sites across all local authority areas;
• The highest figure is seen in Limerick, with 427 derelict sites;
• The second highest is in Mayo, at 270, and third highest is Cork City, at 158;
• There were a further 578 derelict sites added to the registers last year, while 238 were removed across 2023;
• Further to this, there were 82 derelict sites acquired by local authorities by compulsory purchase last year.

The stats, provided to Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould, show that 13 local authorities issued no levies on derelict sites last year.

In addition, there were 17 local authorities who did not collect levies from derelict site owners. 

However, 10 of these authorities did not have any levies outstanding at the end of the year.

Reacting to the figures, Mr Gould described the uncollected levies as a “disgrace”, saying that it was being left unpaid by “speculators and land hoarders”.

“Local authorities are not doing their job and Government are turning a blind eye,” Mr Gould said.

“This Government have produced failed carrot after failed carrot. 

"They have not resourced the only stick available to local authorities [the levies]. 

"We need to see a two-pronged approach, but that must include real consequences for leaving homes to rot while families sleep in B&Bs.”

Mr Gould was critical of authorities who did not collect any levies, saying that they do not have the same “laid-back approach” to either litter or parking fines.

He described it as “beyond frustrating”, while saying that millions of euro could be collected to make a real difference to communities.

The Cork North Central TD said that the almost €5m left uncollected by Cork City Council could be “transformative” for the city.

What we can see from this year, is that this money is just the tip of the iceberg. If all sites were levied, we could be looking at significantly more funding for the city. 

"That amount could bring derelict properties back into use and revitalising communities that desperately need it.

“Right in the heart of our city centre, perfectly good buildings lie idle and rotting. 

"Through the historic spine, there are buildings with no roof or windows that should be in use and adding to the vibrancy of the area.

“Our rich culture is being allowed to rot in derelict buildings and it is clear, nobody is paying the price for this.”