Calls for tougher action as Mayo County Council collects less than 8pc of derelict site levies in 2024
Councillors have sharply criticised Mayo County Council after it emerged that just €37,000 was collected through the derelict sites levy in 2024.
According to the 2024 Local Government Audit Service report, 77 derelict sites in the county were liable for levies amounting to €487,000.
However only a fraction of that sum, less than 8pc, was collected.
This figure comes as the Government is preparing reform the way that derelict properties are taxed.
In Budget 2026, a new Derelict Property Tax was announced that will replace the existing levy.
Unlike the current system, where local authorities are responsible for collecting charges, the new tax will be collected by Revenue from 2027.
Work on the required legislation, and the creation of a preliminary national register of derelict properties, is due to begin next year.
The reform aims to address widespread dereliction and bring long-vacant units back into use as part of efforts to ease the housing crisis.
In Mayo, dereliction is a familiar sight, with numerous towns and villages dotted with empty, crumbling buildings - an issue regularly raised by councillors at monthly meetings.
At the December meeting of Mayo County Council, councillors expressed frustration at what they saw as the local authority's failure to collect outstanding levies.
Referencing the audit report, Cllr Peter Flynn described the €37,000 as a "damning indictment on the council".
"There are streets that are derelict in this county, when you consider the 7pc levy on our derelict properties, that equates to a total valuation of just over €500,000," he said, adding that you could walk barely 300m from the council offices before coming across multiple derelict buildings.
"We need to make plans around how we tackle dereliction. This shows a serious difficulty in collection; it's no wonder Revenue has taken charge of the levy, because local authorities nationally are simply not dealing with it," he added.
These concerns were echoed by Cllr Harry Barrett, who described the €37,000 collected as a "dismal figure" and said it was far too low in the context of Mayo's housing crisis.
Cllr Damien Ryan also criticised the low collection rate. He told the meeting that councillors could be certain Revenue would get "every penny that is due and more" once they take over responsibility for the tax.
"Derelict sites are a blight on every town and village in this county. The levy is 7pc of the market value of the property. All we achieved was to collect 7pc of all levies that are due - that is totally inadequate,
"Mayo isn't unique in this, other local authorities have not performed well either, but when we are down to collecting 7pc of what is due, that is how the problem is allowed to continue," he said.
He called on the Chief Executive to take a tougher approach to derelict properties, and suggested a more extensive use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs).
"Some of these [properties] that have been on the register for a long time, I would ask you to look at ones that would be suitable for CPOs - let's get tough on that within the county," he said, adding that this would show the council is serious about tackling dereliction and vacancy.
Not all councillors, however, placed full responsibility on the local authority. Cllr Michael Burke noted that dealing with derelict properties can be far more complex than it appears.
"There are many complications with derelict sites. It is very simple to talk about it and give out about it," he said, pointing to difficulties such as identifying the owner when a previous owner has passed away or addressing situations where neighbouring houses might have a right of way over the property.
"I wouldn't say Revenue will solve the problem overnight, yes, they will get money because when you get a bill from Revenue, you tend to pay it, that is the difference," he added.
Cllr Ger Deere seconded this, noting that collecting derelict levies is not always a straightforward process.
He did, however, point out that the council itself is "one of the biggest landlords of derelict properties."
He referenced the council-owned buildings on Ellison Street in Castlebar that are derelict and awaiting demolition as part of the Castlebar Regeneration Project.
Cllr Deere has repeatedly called for action on these properties. Most recently, he urged the council to improve their appearance with a lick of paint, or "knock it down to hell" immediately.
"How will we deal with Revenue when they come after us?" he asked the meeting.
Director of Services Ann Moore responded by stressing that the council works closely with the municipal districts and that its primary objective is to encourage homeowners to bring their properties back to a "non-derelict" condition.
"We have made a number of CPOs over the last few years, and there are a number in progress," she said. "We start the CPO process when requested by central housing when there is funding available."
She acknowledged the concerns about the low level of levy collection, noting that it is a challenge faced by many local authorities.
Ms Moore pointed to Limerick City Council as an example of best practice, noting that it has a "well-staffed" team dedicated to the work.
She added that Mayo County Council has issued bills and reminders to homeowners, and that a number of files have been referred to a solicitor for prosecution, with plans to progress these cases in the new year.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.