63 Derelict Sites on Kildare Register as Government Moves to Strengthen 7% Tax Enforcement

Athy and Kildare–Newbridge account for more than half of the county's registered derelict sites, while over 230 vacant and derelict homes have been brought back into use through a Government grant scheme.

There are currently 63 entries on Kildare County Council's Derelict Sites Register, as the Government prepares to introduce new measures aimed at strengthening the collection of taxes from owners of derelict properties.

Under proposed legislation, Revenue will take responsibility for administering and enforcing a 7% annual levy on derelict sites, a charge currently administered by local authorities.

The changes, being brought forward by Tánaiste Simon Harris, are intended to strengthen enforcement amid concerns about the effectiveness of the existing system.

From January 2027, local authorities will be required to compile registers of derelict properties and forward the information to Revenue.

Under existing legislation, councils already have the power to impose an annual levy of 7% of a derelict site's market value. The proposed changes would transfer responsibility for administering and enforcing the charge to Revenue.

Speaking on Kildare Today, Independent Ireland Councillor Bill Clear welcomed the derelict tax measure and Revenue becoming involved in tax collection, however he felt it could be implemented sooner, as the actual derelict tax is due to come into effect in 2028.

Councillor Clear also cited how pro-active Kildare County Council has been in this regard. The full interview can be heard below. 

According to Kildare County Council's latest published Derelict Sites Register, dated 16 September 2026, there are 63 entries across the county's five municipal districts.

Athy Municipal District has the highest number, with 18 registered sites, followed closely by Kildare–Newbridge with 17.

The Municipal District breakdown is as follows:

Athy: 18 sites

Kildare–Newbridge: 17 sites

Naas: 13 sites

Clane–Maynooth: 8 sites

Celbridge–Leixlip: 7 sites

Among the properties listed are the former Garda station in Rathangan, the Old Band Hall in Newbridge, the former Grand Canal Hotel in Robertstown and the Market House in Naas.

Other entries include properties on Leinster Street and Duke Street in Athy, Main Street in Leixlip and several sites in Kildare Town.

The most recent additions to the register include Home Farm House on Clane Road in Sallins, added on 10 July, and a property at Skirteen in Monasterevin, opposite the Hazel Hotel, added on 10 September.

The register identifies sites formally recorded as derelict by the local authority and does not necessarily represent the full extent of vacant or unused properties across County Kildare.

Meanwhile, new figures from the Department of Housing show that 235 previously vacant and derelict properties in Kildare have been brought back into residential use through the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant since the scheme was introduced in 2022.

More than €13 million in grant funding has been paid out in the county.

A total of 493 applications have been received in Kildare, with 384 approvals granted.

Between July and September of this year, a further 10 properties were brought back into use, while 22 grant applications were approved.

Nationally, the scheme has supported the refurbishment of 7,162 vacant and derelict properties, with more than €396 million in funding.

Minister for Housing James Browne said dereliction was damaging communities and removing much-needed housing from use.

"Dereliction is a scourge that blights communities, undermines town and village centres, and removes much-needed homes from use, and it is something this Government will not tolerate," he said.