Galway-based Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh has called on the government to introduce measures to reduce the number of derelict sites around the city – something he believes could alleviate the housing crisis in Galway.
Just weeks after Galway was added to the list of rent pressure zones, the Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Housing challenged Minister for Housing, Simon Coveney, to implement more stringent measures on owners of derelict sites.
Galway City Council’s Register of Derelict Sites includes 15 properties across the city ranging from small residential homes to vast former business premises.
Speaking in the Seanad on the issue, Senator Ó Clochartaigh explained: “We have 15 registered derelict sites in Galway. This includes the former Corrib Great Southern Hotel, as well as properties in Ballybrit, Newcastle, St Helen’s Street, Ballybane and Dominick Street Upper.
“In light of the unprecedented housing crisis, it is vital that these sites are considered for upgrade, or for alternative use,” he said.
Legislation introduced by the Minister proposed a levy on derelict sites in an attempt by government to force property owners to free up potential housing stock.
However, Senator Ó Clochartaigh believed that this didn’t go far enough – and said that there should be an exemption included for Council-owned properties.
“The three per cent annual levy on derelict sites which is due to come in to force in 2019 should include measures to exclude land held by local authorities. There should also be provisions to include a higher band of five per cent for land of a greater size than one acre,” said Senator Ó Clochartaigh.
Speaking to the Galway City Tribune, Senator Ó Clochartaigh said that pressure needs to be put on landlords to ensure that they cannot retain these sites whilst there are people sleeping on the streets of Galway.
“You have these huge sites that are derelict like the Corrib Great Southern and the old Connacht Laundry.
“Many of these, we don’t know who the owners are and many of them could be vulture funds so we need to do this to put pressure on them – the government need to take more action,” he said.
Senator Ó Clochartaigh said he believed that the focus of the government’s attention should be expanded to include smaller residences – with houses in areas like Shantalla and Bohermore having been listed as derelict for several years.
“We should be looking at smaller buildings as well because this legislation by the government only covers big buildings,” he said.
He urged the government to create a situation where local authorities would be in a position to purchase derelict properties for use as social housing.
“The government should give the local authority the finances and the first option to buy these properties and to create homes rather than selling them off as private units to create profit-making entities,” said Senator Ó Clochartaigh.
In its budget for this year, the Council allocated €25,000 for derelict sites but according to the former Galway West general election candidate, this money has only been used for securing properties against vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
“Most of the money is being used for security and that is a waste of resources – it’s money down the drain.
“Why not put the money into creating somewhere for people to live,” he said.
Senator Ó Clochartaigh said that the issue of landlords selling homes out from under tenants is an issue that must be addressed, particularly as many of these landlords received Section 23 tax reliefs – a relief for expenditure incurred that can be set against the rent received from the property.
“There’s almost a moral onus on owners – they have been subsidised by the tax payer and there’s a moral obligation to the state who have forked out some of the money for these properties.
“Also, if the state is going to buy these properties, they could draw down on some of that money,” he said.
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