Cork City Council collects less than a third of derelict site levies in five years

The council also does not know if they will still receive the money for derelict site levies, as these are to be collected by Revenue rather than local authorities from 2027

A derelict property off South Mall in Cork City in 2023. It comes as last week, finance minister Pascal Donohoe announced the introduction of a new Derelict Property Tax, which will be implemented and collected by the Revenue Commissioners, as part of Budget 2026. Photo via @frank_oconnor

Cork City Council has spent €1.6m on compulsorily acquiring 21 derelict properties since 2020, while less than a third of derelict site levies issued have been paid during this period, new data has shown.

The council’s executive have admitted they do not know if the council will still receive the money for derelict site levies, as these are to be collected by Revenue rather than local authorities from 2027, it was announced in the recent budget.