Mr. Jim Copeland:

It is a step in the right direction but it could be enhanced. As well as extending its duration, we would like to see a reduction in the entry level. As it stands, one must spend €5,000 before being able to claim anything back. If the floor can be lowered and the ceiling raised that would be helpful. The scheme would be more attractive if people could enter at €2,000 or €3,000 and claim for sums up to €60,000 rather than the current cut-off of €30,000. That would be a much greater incentive for a home owner considering a large extension. Front-loading of the payment in some shape or form would also be crucial in a context where builders are in direct competition with shadow economy operators. It would be a win from everybody's perspective.

We have gone through five years where people did not put any work into their home other than where it absolutely had to be done. Where I live in Lucan, there are currently four renovation jobs ongoing on my road alone. There is a pent-up demand and this scheme is something like the vehicle scrappage scheme. Almost everybody agrees that it is a good idea, but it had to be implemented by somebody and I compliment the Minister on doing so. It is important now to drive it home so that we can give people a little extra to put value back into their homes.