‘Stronger approach’ required to bring derelict Wexford properties left ‘empty for years’ back into use

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Fine Gael Councillor for New Ross, Bridín Murphy, has backed Tánaiste Simon Harris’s call for stronger action on dereliction, saying every available measure must be used to bring vacant and derelict properties back into use.

Earlier this week, the Tanáiste said councils across the country hadn’t done enough to tackle the “scourge of dereliction” as he announced plans to entrust Revenue with collecting vacant-site levies from October onwards.

Under government legislation, annual levies worth 7pc of the building’s valuation are applied to property owners who have been served with a vacant-site notice. Currently, county councils are responsible for collecting those levies from properties on their derelict sites register.

And while Deputy Harris’s comments drew criticism from councillors in other parts of Co Wexford, Cllr Murphy offered her support for the Fine Gael leader saying a “much stronger and more proactive approach” is required to bring derelict buildings back into use.

“Across Co Wexford we have buildings lying vacant and falling into disrepair while families are struggling to find housing. People find that difficult to understand, and rightly so,” said the New Ross councillor.

“The scale of the housing challenge is clear. In New Ross alone, more than 3,200 expressions of interest were received for just 49 homes. Against that backdrop, it is difficult to justify seeing viable buildings left vacant and derelict for years.”

Arguing that local authorities already have “significant powers available to tackle dereliction”, including derelict site levies and compulsory purchase orders (CPO), Cllr Murphy said WCC needed to ensure those powers are “being used proactively and consistently wherever properties have been left idle for extended periods”.

“In towns and villages across Co Wexford, there are properties that have been left empty for years,” she continued. “Many are located in prime locations and, with the right intervention, could once again provide homes, support local businesses and contribute to the regeneration of our communities.

Fine Gael Councillor for New Ross, Bridín Murphy.

“Dereliction doesn’t just affect the appearance of a town. It impacts investment, community confidence and housing supply. Every building left empty is a missed opportunity and every property brought back into use can make a real difference.

“We need to be more ambitious. Where properties can be brought back into use, every option should be on the table. The housing crisis is too serious for us to leave buildings sitting idle year after year.”