Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Construction safety is important and that goes without being noticed. We are putting those in the construction industry, the builders, in a difficult position. They have to comply with Safe Pass. They have to comply with so much it is making it almost impossible for them to get a day's work or a good week's work done. It will put the price of housing up more severely. The construction industry and small companies talk to me about this every day of the week.

Recently, one company told me that while it welcomes the new temporary waiver of development levies, small companies are in a precarious position. One of them is in west Cork. It commenced construction of more than 30 houses in County Cork in the past 12 months. The houses are being constructed in two phases, with eight substantially complete and 24 due to commence shortly. By written agreement, the development bond has been paid to Cork County Council for phase 1, with the development bond for the second phase payable in the coming weeks. The company paid the development levies in 2022 to Cork County Council, Irish Water and the ESB. Another developer will commence a similar housing development nearby this summer. There is no issue with that, but the problem is that one will be paying development levies and the other will not. The 30-house development has been placed at an immediate and significant competitive disadvantage. I would genuinely appreciate it if the Minister of State looked into this matter. I can send him the details. This company is seeking a refund of the development levies paid in respect of 24 of the 30 houses.

He is being penalised and crippled in carrying out his work when others will essentially have free development levies. This situation cannot be allowed to continue without a bit of fairness being brought to it.

The Rural Independent Group has spoken a great deal about planning permissions, the difficulties experienced by young people in building homes in rural communities, log houses and so forth. We have proposed many solutions for the housing issue, but they have not been listened to. I have pity for people who are trying to get up and running. On a slightly connected matter, Mr. Brendan Piper is trying to set up a funfair business in Kinsale, but he is not being allowed to build it because Cork County Council is seeking a bond, something that has never been heard of. I have spoken to other Deputies about this matter. It is unfair on people who are trying to set up businesses. There is a difficulty in encouraging builders to carry out construction in areas that need looking after better.

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