Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

I welcome that the Minister is in the Chamber for this discussion. I welcome the comments made by the Minister of State about the modular developments. It is a positive, practical solution and something that should have happened a very long time ago. I ask the Minister to expedite that. At the moment, according to the Minister's comments 40 sq. m is the maximum size but I think sizes of 60 sq. m, 70 sq. m or 80 sq. m should be considered, where it is suitable to do so and where sites allow. There are great companies across the country such as BRB Homes - Donal Byrne's company in Mayo - for example, delivering fantastic quality homes. This will have a very practical and positive impact for many families so I ask the Minister to hurry on with that and ensure it happens swiftly.

I also raise the issues of construction costs and the viability of building in this country. Last year in a response to a parliamentary question submitted by Aontú we found out that in 2024 alone this Government took in €3 billion from VAT on construction products, the highest ever in the history of this State. On average, it is well over €50,000 per unit. Will the Minister consider reducing the cost of VAT on construction materials? We have a lot of schemes in this country but, unfortunately, many of those schemes are not happening on the ground. This would be a very tangible, practical way of reducing the cost of construction in this country.

I also wish to raise the point that manpower is one of the biggest pinch points in the construction of houses. There are thousands of Irish people working on construction sites in Australia, Canada and all over the world and we need to bring them home. We need to bring them home by incentivising them with tax breaks and financial incentives. It is really important we launch a financial campaign with a package to build those workers home to build houses in this country.

There has been a snobbery around apprenticeships in Ireland over many years and that attitude needs to change. For example, if a young person wants to become a teacher, garda, nurse, doctor, etc., there is a set number of years for that to happen. If you want to be a block layer, apprentice, electrician etc., you have no idea how long it will take. There are significant delays. At this time is it any wonder we have major difficulties around manpower to supply construction sites with people? It is really important we address those issues and end the delays in this area.

Planning is a major issue and it is really important we address the issues. We need more planners. An Bord Pleanála consistently has delays and is not obeying its own statutory timelines. If you, I or any citizen of this country failed around our motor tax or insurance we would have to pay a sanction but there seems to be no accountability around planning. We need more planners and it must be resourced. It is time now, in the midst of the housing crisis, that we get on and solve that issue.

Land zoning is another big concern. A number of years ago the Government pursued a policy of dezoning land. Minister, this point is really important. A number of years ago we pursued a policy of dezoning land, and there was a critical issue around zoning of land.

We need to give local authorities and local councillors more control over the zoning of land. There is not enough. We have zoned land where farmers have no interest in building so it was never going to become available to the building sector and we dezoned lands where farmers were willing to sell. It makes no sense. We need a little bit more common sense and local authorities should be equipped. There is no point in zoning land for farmers who do not want their land to be zoned. That needs to be looked at and addressed.

Also, infrastructure is critically important. There is no wastewater treatment plant in Newport, County Mayo. The wastewater is being pumped into Clew Bay. As a result, development is being stifled. This is happening in various different parts across the country and it must be addressed and we need to accelerate wastewater treatment in Newport.

On the delays with Uisce Éireann around new connections, a constituent of mine has been waiting several months for a connection although the house is actually finished. There are practical things we can do. It is time now that we hurry on and I wish the Minister the best of luck in his Ministry but I urge him to please consider those practical solutions.

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