Calls for council to establish team to tackle derelict properties

Councillors in Mayo want the local authority to establish a dedicated team to tackle derelict properties in the county. 

The matter was discussed at the January meeting of the council, with Acting Director of Services Anne Moore stating that the local authority is working with solicitors on a number of cases in relation to non-payment of derelict site levies, adding that a total of 24 properties entered the compulsory purchase order (CPO) process and 140 properties were subject to the derelict levy, with a total of 287 on the register at the end of 2025.

She said this level of action around dereliction was far higher in Mayo than in other counties, adding: “We have made a lot of progress but do accept further work is needed.” 

Cllr Peter Flynn responded: “From 2014 to 2024, Mayo County Council completed just 19 CPOs so something is seriously wrong.” 

He called for a multidisciplinary team to be set up, similar to one operating in Limerick City Council, which he claimed has led to over 2,000 property owners being issued with notices, 300 properties proposed for CPO and 200 going into council ownership. 

"If our external legal advisors are not up to the task of moving it along, we need to look at that. We cannot keep talking about this, we need action.”

Cllr Harry Barrett supported Cllr Flynn’s proposal saying: “We need a dedicated professional unit that is placing CPOs on properties and tackling dereliction."

Cllr Damian Ryan said it was important to show the council is serious and getting tough on the issue, even “if it involves raising a loan".

Cllr Marie Therese Duffy said dereliction is having a negative impact on neighbouring properties in Ballina with issues such as damp or rodents arising, while Cllr Michael Loftus referred to one particular derelict site in Crossmolina.

"It doesn’t belong to anyone and there is just frustration at the amount of time it is taking to fix it.” 

Chief executive Kevin Kelly said it was positive that so many properties are on the derelict sites register, adding: “If members want to do more it has to be done by adding to the team with more planners and architects and creating a fund so we can buy the properties ourselves and sell them on. I would suggest you commit in our next budget to increase rates by 2.5% to generate €1.5m and increase Local Property Tax by 2.5% to raise another €53,000.” 

This proposal was frowned upon by Cllr Flynn, who countered: “If you are saying we can’t borrow money to move properties on we really do have a serious problem and another 12 months ahead of average activity."

Cllr Michael Loftus stated: “A levy on rates and property tax is akin to rates being put on people for houses affected by pyrite. That is punishing people and looking for people to try and support other people. We took in €16m extra in rates last year so to look for that €1.5m that way is so unfair and I don’t agree with that sentiment.”

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.