'No free pass for State agencies or departments on derelict properties', housing minister says

A new Derelict Property Tax is to be charged at a minimum of 7% of the property’s market value

James Browne: 'I think in any political ideology, derelict properties are just wrong.' Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

Wed, 24 Jun, 2026 - 14:11

Tadgh McNally

Housing minister James Browne has said Government departments and agencies will not be granted a “free pass” on dereliction amid concerns at the number of vacant properties owned by the State.

Mr Browne insisted the departments and State agencies will face a new tax if they have any derelict properties in their portfolio.

Finance minister Simon Harris has previously confirmed a new Derelict Property Tax would be introduced in October’s budget, to be administered by Revenue and replace a levy previously overseen by local authorities. It is to be charged at a minimum of 7% of the property’s market value.

“I think in any political ideology, derelict properties are just wrong. We’re now really going after them, so that includes State agencies. There can’t be any quarter here, just because it a state agency, that they somehow get a free pass on derelict properties,” Mr Browne said.

“There will be no free pass for State agencies, there will be no free pass for departments on derelict properties. In fact, they should be leading the way.”

Mr Browne said any derelict properties owned by the State should be with someone who will use them. He urged departments and agencies to “get these properties sorted”.

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Mr Harris and Mr Browne wrote to Government ministers on Tuesday, saying there are “significant amounts of derelict property under State ownership”.

“It is not a satisfactory situation to have unused State property lying idle, negatively impacting on its environment, when it could provide much-needed housing, community, public or commercial space,” they wrote.

They said ministers should either bring the properties into usable states, transfer to another State body, sell it on the open market or seek its demolition.