Kerry County Council wrote off €655,000 in unpaid derelict site levies in 2024, due to “inaccuracies in the files”.
That’s one of the findings in the latest Local Government Audit Service statutory report.
It shows that a review by the council’s vacant homes office found statutory demands levied on derelict sites in Kerry, were unenforceable due to “various inaccuracies”.
Following this review, all 64 sites on the register were removed, unpaid charges were written off and no derelict site levy was charged in 2024.
The report noted as of December 31st that year, 29 sites were added back and a further 10 new sites were included in the derelict sites register.
A response from Kerry County Council CEO Fearghal Reidy stated the vacant homes office has made necessary amendments, adding the collection of levies is a focus of the derelict sites office.
The chief executive stated where no engagement is forthcoming on the payment of the levy, files are being referred to legal department to register the charge on the property.
He added that the Council’s derelict sites office will seek payment through the courts where appropriate.
