Charity urges tax on empty properties

A PROPERTY tax should be urgently introduced to punish developers who delay in putting their empty housing stock into social use or on the market at a realistic rate, housing charityFocus Ireland has proposed.

The proposal was made in a detailed submission by the charity to the Government concerning the empty housing crisis.

Focus Ireland said the revenue raised from an empty property tax could be ring-fenced to help fund programmes which aim to provide secure housing for people in need.