Sinn Féin Councillor and Galway East General Election candidate Louis O’Hara has said that a blind eye is being turned to dereliction across County Galway.
O’Hara said that the former Shannon Oaks Hotel in Portumna, which has lain idle since 2011, was an example of this and that stronger action is needed to tackle dereliction.
Cllr O’Hara said: “Dereliction has been a blight on our communities across East Galway for too long now.
“Derelict buildings are eyesores, a health and safety hazard, they attract anti-social behaviour, but more importantly many of these buildings have the potential to be great homes for families who would cherish them.
“Portumna is a prime example of a community afflicted by dereliction. There are vacant and derelict homes right across the town, the building for the long-promised Health Centre is lying idle and falling into disrepair, and of course the former Shannon Oaks Hotel has been left in its current state for 13 years.
“Government inaction has allowed this situation to happen. There is no enforcement of penalties for dereliction and a blind eye is being turned to this problem. Only 3 properties are included on County Galway’s Derelict Sites Register at present.
“The Shannon Oaks Hotel, unused since 2011, was removed from the Derelict Sites Register several months ago.
“This is a building that is clearly derelict and a major eyesore. Some of the hoarding around the building has been removed and it can be accessed by anybody, including young children, making it a major safety hazard right in the centre of Portumna town.
“Action is needed to tackle dereliction. We need stronger legislation and resources for Local Authorities to ensure that derelict buildings are identified and included on the Derelict Sites Register,” he said.
O’Hara added that long-term derelict properties should also face increased penalties. Sinn Féin have proposed a reformed Derelict Sites Levy, which would increase on a yearly basis. This would mean the current rate of 7% of the market value of the property increasing to 10% after a year, rising to 15.75% after year two and could hit 35.4% after 5 years.
“Property owners should always be supported to bring properties back into use, but long-term dereliction is unacceptable,” said the Sinn Féin Cllr.
“A Sinn Féin Government would take action to ensure that these eyesores are removed, and brought back into use for the benefit of communities.”
