The Government is planning to introduce a vacant property tax in Budget 2023.

That's according to Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien, who was responding to an Oireachtas committee report which is recommending such a measure.

Any vacant property tax would impact an estimated 137,000 homes.

Minister O'Brien told Newstalk Breakfast the new tax will be outlined in the Budget later this year.

"That's our intention, absolutely - it is a commitment that we've given in the Housing for All plan.

"Any tax measures are generally brought in in the Budget, the Budget will be in October."

But he says there will be more than simply tax measures.

"It's important to get a real handle on what is the level of vacancy.

"We will see, in every town and village, good properties on the main streets and in the village cores.

"I'm looking to help that; not just by way of a tax that may be brought forward, but by a grant for homeowners where they would be able to - for first-time buyers and others - be able to get assistance to do those properties up to bring them back into the market.

"We're going to be launching that in the coming weeks".

'Data on vacancy'

Minister O'Brien says there will also be some exemptions.

"We have, in the Housing for All plan... a commitment to gather data on vacancy - with a view to bringing in a vacant property tax.

"I believe we do need a vacant property tax, but there will be in some instances, good reasons, as to why homes may be vacant - such as long-term illness and things like that.

"I don't think people will want to be taxing people who are in that situation."

And he says a lot of work has been put into this already.

"Quite a significant amount of work has been done by the Department of Finance and Revenue.

"And as part of the Local Property Tax review last year, that data was being collected last year and being interrogated right now.

"That data is being worked through, we'll have the Census data as well."

He adds: "I think there is a lot of merit in a vacant property tax if it's targeted in the right way - coupled with other things."