THE Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District has called for more financial incentives to prevent vacant properties from become derelict and dangerous. Councillor Pat Hayes’s comments following the closure of a section of the footpath on Main Street in Tulla after a dangerous structure notice was issued on an empty building.

“The situation typifies a problem I have been raising for a considerable period of time,” he said. “The new rural development strategy encourages the redevelopment of buildings in towns and villages and it is not in anyone’s interest to have a situation like we have in Tulla at the moment. Traffic problems are being created, as well a negative image of the place. I would encourage the owner of the property to engage with the council and for all of the owners of vacant buildings to do the same.”

The Fianna Fáil member said that existing schemes to support owners to redevelop vacant properties are not working. “Under the present system, people have no incentive to invest in improving their properties,” he said. “Once they have a tenant in, they have to pay tax on the rent earned. That’s putting people off. It might incentivise people if there was as tax-free period available once the building is refurbished.”

Clare County Council has confirmed that the building is the subject of a Dangerous Structures Notice “issued in accordance with Section 3(1)(a) of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1964 as amended and, as such, in the interest of public safety, a section of the public footpath at Main Street, Tulla, has been closed and cordoned off until the requirements of this notice have been adhered to”.