Levy on second homes kept Kerry in the black

A TAX on second homes netted the exchequer almost €133 million in two years, and kept at least one local authority in the black.

Kerry was among the top three county councils to benefit from the proceeds of a €200 annual charge in respect of all residential property not used as the owner’s sole or main residence. There are more than 316,000 such properties nationally.

Figures from the Department of the Environment show that since the levy was introduced in 2009, Dublin City Council, with more than 58,000 second homes, raked in more than €24m.