A decision by Cork City Council to waive more than a third of €800,000 in derelict site levies on a former Magdalene laundry has been slammed as “a disgrace”. Cork City Council has confirmed it has accepted from Moneda a payment of €500,000, waiving the €323,943 balance. A spokesperson for the Department of Housing told the Irish Examiner the only circumstances in which the derelict sites levy may be waived is under section 26 the Derelict Sites Act 1990. A Cork City Council spokesperson said the former Good Shepherd site remained on the derelict sites register, with fresh levies accruing to Bellmount until dereliction is removed. Under the new Derelict Property Tax, announced in Budget 2026, the Revenue Commissioners will soon have direct enforcement powers over the imposition of dereliction penalties.

Source: Irish Examiner March 24, 2026 09:00 UTC