William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The previous Government introduced a waiver scheme for people who were building first-time homes. It included council charges plus Uisce Éireann charges. On 31 December 2024, this was stopped. When this was introduced, it set out all the principles and achieved the objective of speedier activation of planning permissions by the development sector. It also escalated planning permissions that had been granted for a number of years and were not activated, and caused a higher rate of housing commencements. The Taoiseach will remember when he started out in his first house with his wife, Mary, how difficult it was to save up. This waiver is something the previous Government brought in for people who do not get any other contribution, such as the social housing waiting list. This was an opportunity and was very well received by people, where there could be savings of €5,000 up to €25,000, depending on the county. It was really worthwhile for these people. The Taoiseach knows how difficult it is to save up to €10,000 or €20,000 before a block is even laid for a house. That is something the previous Government did, and I am asking the Taoiseach to please consider doing it again.

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