Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Earlier today, I raised with the Taoiseach the plight of owners in the Carrickmines Green development. Returning to that subject, when is it planned to introduce the redress scheme for homeowners? I think the Taoiseach said it would be done before Christmas. Does this mean that we will not see provision being made for such a scheme in the Finance Bill, which is to be introduced on Thursday? He might clarify that. He might also clarify whether the scheme will include provision for retrospective tax relief on works already carried out to address defects. Many apartment owners have already spent large amounts of money on remedying defects that were in their homes through no fault of their own but due to a lack of regulation in the construction industry.

Will the Taoiseach confirm whether the concrete products levy will now be reduced and delayed beyond the date originally envisaged by the Government? Was any consideration given to Labour's alternative proposal of levying a tax on the profits of construction companies rather than on concrete products? This would have been a much more effective way of ensuring that the construction industry would bear some of the cost of remedying defects without seeing the direct cost passed on to those seeking to build their own homes and first-time buyers.

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