Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is where the Deputy was.

There was no database whatsoever available last year. It was developed through the implementation of the household charge. We now have 1.2 million people properly registered and there were obviously going to be difficulties and errors. We acknowledge that. When there is no database available and one is being created for the first time there will be difficulties. There will be difficulties about the implementation of this local property tax too until the database is refined and complete. This has been developed by the Minister for Finance and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for the first time in the history of the State.

The 2012 survey was based purely and objectively on the actual state of completion of a development. It expressly included estates the local authorities deemed were in a seriously problematic condition, regardless of whether a developer was on or off the site. This year a clear definition of what was considered seriously problematic included issues such as the installation and commission of public lighting, the provision of a potable water supply the provision of wastewater collection, treatment and disposal systems, an access road to at least base course level including, where required, provision for parking and provision of access to the dwelling by constructed footpath. These are the instructions that local authorities received, including Kildare County Council so the Deputy can take the matter up with it if it left estates off the list that qualified under those criteria. The same goes for every Member.

The exemption for unfinished housing developments has been put in place by way of the list I described last week. The Deputy is advocating that I change that list. If I change that list I will be accused of interfering in a process whereby since 2012 local authorities have been asked to supply the necessary information. The Department cannot micromanage local government and it does not intend to do so. When we ask the local authorities to do a job we expect them to do it. The planning sections have all the information and inspection criteria based on the necessary circular that was sent to them. The earlier categorisation related to the level of on-site activity at the time the 2011 survey was carried out and had less to do with the physical character of the development.

The 2012 survey was based purely and objectively on the actual state of completion of the development. The work carried out by the Government in dealing with the legacy of unfinished estates has been an outstanding success in many instances. Through site resolution and working with the financial institutions and local authorities, there are 50% fewer properties in unfinished developments compared to three years ago, when the first survey was carried out.

Regarding pyrite-affected houses, no one has done more than I have in dealing with this issue, which was put on the long finger by the previous Government. We have identified through the Pyrite Resolution Board the number of houses involved. One cannot expect an exemption unless there is a proven test. We are working with the Department of Finance to ensure regulations are put in place with regard to testing for pyrite in houses, as well as working on a solution to the financial implications of providing this test.

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