Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I question the somewhat arbitrary distinction the Minister is making in setting the threshold at €5,000 if the major purpose of the scheme for refurbishment and redevelopment is to generate employment. The Minister has stated this is the purpose. In so many instances people under pressure are not carrying out routine work because they are not sure whether they should spend the money. If the scheme can tip them in favour of adopting the view that it is worthwhile employing somebody to do certain work, it is beneficial. In my area builders, tradespeople and, in many cases, self-employed tradespeople are at their wit’s end because there is no work forthcoming. Hundreds of people are looking for the same work. Any proposal that would increase the amount of work available for this large cohort of building workers and tradespeople would be very welcome; therefore, I do not see why the Minister makes a distinction in respect of what I accept is a good idea. What is the problem with lowering the threshold so as to encompass smaller refurbishment projects and redevelopments? I do not quite understand the Minister's comments on the black economy. Surely, if he were to lower the threshold to include smaller refurbishment jobs and redevelopments, he would help to eliminate the black economy and encourage people to enter the legitimate economy. It seems self-evident that this would be the case.