Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024
407. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the local authority development levies waiver does not include group water scheme connections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19126/24]
View answer414. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to extend the development contribution waiver; how far must building works be progressed by the deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19277/24]
View answer429. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm that the development levy waiver also covers the cost of ESB connections and Uisce Éireann connection costs. [19500/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 407, 414 and 429 together.
On 25 April 2023, the Government approved additional measures under the Housing for All Action Plan to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and help reduce housing construction costs, including the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges.
The schemes originally applied for 1 year to all permitted residential development that commences on site between 25 April 2023 (the date of the Government Decision approving the measure) and 24 April 2024, and is completed not later than 31 December 2025. On 23 April 2024, the Government approved an extension for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions in respect of residential development commenced up to 31 December 2024 and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges in respect of residential development commenced up to 30 September 2024.
The date for the completion of development works on qualifying houses under the schemes has been extended from 31 December 2025 to 31 December 2026.
ESB Network connection charges and Group Water Scheme charges do not fall within the scope of the schemes as approved by Government. The water connection charge refund scheme only applies to water and waste water connection charges payable to Uisce Éireann for connection of supply to Uisce Éireann provided infrastructure. Group water schemes are community owned and run organisations and are outside the services provided by Uisce Éireann.
