Court action over unpaid derelict sites levies in Mayo

MAYO County Council is considering court action where derelict sites levies remain unpaid.

Discussions have taken place with solicitors about taking a number of cases to court, councillors were told in an update on derelict sites.

Elected members want to see derelict and vacant sites and properties turned around to provide housing, urging a number of measures, including a dedicated unit within the council to tackle the issue.

Councillor Harry Barrett has also suggested the minister should introduce tax breaks for both developers to buy derelict sites and for the end purchasers of redeveloped properties.

His suggestion was an addition to a motion by Councillor Jarlath Munnelly proposing that government would introduce legislation to give powers to local authorities to issue compulsory sale orders on vacant and derelict property.

It would operate in a similar manner to a compulsory purchase order, compelling the owner to put the property on the open market for sale, or where there is no clear title or clearly identifiable owner, the local authority would be given the means to facilitate the sale of the property on the open market.

This new legislative power, he said, would greatly help local authorities to address vacant and derelict properties, enhance towns and villages across the country and help to increase housing supply.

In 2025, some 72 property owners were notified of Mayo County Council’s intention to place their sites on the derelict sites register. A total of 53 properties were added to the register and 11 were removed.

The total number of properties on the live register at the end of 2025 was 287.

In addition, a breakdown of properties levied for 2025 showed that 140 properties had received levies.

The number of properties in the CPO process for 2025 was 24.

Members were told Mayo has almost three times the number of properties on its derelict sites register than all adjacent counties combined - an indication of the work underway in the county on the issue.

It is recognised that collection of derelict sites levies is a concern, but acting director of services Ann Moore said ultimately the intent is to remove dereliction rather than accrue revenue.

Chief executive Kevin Kelly said the reports shows an increase in activity, and the numbers removed from the register is positive.

Ultimately, to upscale their work they need to fund it, to expand their team and create a fund to buy properties.

Councillor Peter Flynn suggested a dedicated multi-disciplinary team be created and he also requested meetings with the vacant homes officer to tackle what is a 'massive issue'.

“We need to see action,” he urged management, seeking an update on progress in April.

The chief executive made a suggestion of rates and property price increases of 1.5% to generate €1.4 million for a dedicated team and to start acquiring properties, but that was rebuked.

However, Councillor Flynn made the point that in the days of the town council, when they had no money, they got loans, CPOd properties and then sold them on. And why couldn't they go down that same road, he wondered.

Councillor Michael Loftus said the council took in €6 million extra last year under the review of rates and it was unfair to look for €1.4 million that way. There's other ways to look at it.

The point was made that application has been made for extra staff. Any working on specific housing programmes cannot be reassigned from them as they have to do the work the department is paying them for.

* Published under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme