Millions of euros in fines have not been collected from derelict properties owners because “not enough pressure” is being put on local authorities, the Social Democrats have warned.

New figures obtained by the party show that the owners of hundreds of derelict sites have yet to pay their fines.

The fines are issued to owners of derelict sites who fail to carry out agreed works or comply with Statutory notices.

On Newstalk Breakfast, Maynooth University Professor Rory Hearne said the fines could prove a lucrative source of income for local authorities given the “very broad definition” of a derelict building.

“It would seem quite an easy win,” he said. 

“The problem is essentially that there’s been no focus on the issue of dereliction or vacancy for many, many decades. 

“It has only been in literally the last three or four years that people like myself and campaigners… have put pressure and focus on this.” 

Meeting this morning with Vacant Homes Officers from each local authority.

The vacant and derelict property grants are hugely positive - over 5,500 applications & 2,700 approvals.

🏚️up to €50k for a vacant property
🏚️up to €70k for a derelict property#HousingforAll pic.twitter.com/a8wAazgzaY

— Darragh O'Brien (@DarraghOBrienTD) December 6, 2023

The Social Democrats European elections candidates said local authorities have “completely ignored” the issue for a long time and there are varying levels of compliance across the country. 

“One of the issues is that they take this approach whereby they engage in a process of what they say is discussion with the property owner,” he said. 

“What this can mean is that the councils themselves can go to discuss with the property owner and it seems to be that they’re just taking a very laissez faire approach. 

“That the property owner can’t get in touch with them - which seems to be a big issue - or the property owner says, ‘Well, I’ve a certain amount of work planned - so therefore the local authority doesn’t take any action. 

“It seems to be a very softly, softly approach to it rather than saying, ‘This is a very serious issue, we can’t have derelict properties being left there.’” 

A derelict homestead outside Carrickmacross, County Monaghan.

Mr Hearne said the Government “needs to take this seriously” if it is to make progress on the issue of housing. 

“It’s really clear that local authorities need to be told that they have to do this seriously, they need to be given the resources to do it,” he said. 

“As I said, we need to explore [if] Revenue needs to take this on. 

“I think that there’s a culture within councils themselves of not taking this issue seriously and there’s not enough pressure being put on councils to move beyond just fines. 

“Councils can engage in compulsory purchase orders of these properties… when the owner doesn’t pay the fine. 

“So, why aren’t councils doing compulsory purchase orders more than just leaving these fines go unpaid?”

The derelict site levy amounts to 7% of the market value of the land in question but can be increased to as much as 10% with permission from the Minister for Housing.

Main image: An old derelict house. Picture by: Alamy.com