Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I know the Taoiseach is going to launch his summer economic statement this evening. I hope it will not be raining. There are huge concerns about a levy the Government introduced in budget 2023. I refer to the 5% levy on all ready-mixed concrete and concrete blocks. KPMG did a study on this which said it would increase the cost of building a three-bed semi-detached house by €1,300, it would add an extra €300 million to the construction costs and it would add to already spiralling inflation in the construction sector and across the agriculture industry too. The Government has so many commitments which it is so far behind on and has failed on. It beggars belief that the Government is going to go off for the summer recess and come back after this levy is introduced on 1 September, thereby undermining again its own target for building houses and the infrastructure we so badly need. I appeal to the Government to have a debate on this issue. It is very serious. It was introduced and kind of hedged until September. It will do untold damage and slow down the rate of construction of houses and other buildings. It is another punitive charge on couples trying to build their houses and get a foot on the ladder.

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