Seanad debates

Wednesday, 3 December 2003

Order of Business. - Budget Statement: Motion.

 

The county also welcomes the extension of the rural tax scheme but I hope the Minister takes this suggestion on board regarding what happened with the coastal resort scheme and unfortunately with the tax incentive scheme in County Leitrim. A report published earlier this week showed the stark reality that 72% of the houses built in County Leitrim over the past three to four years have been second homes. The tax incentive scheme was set up by the Government to help the repopulation of rural areas and not to provide second homes for wealthy people. I suggest that in the context of the guidelines awaited by Leitrim County Council there should be a more focused approach for the remainder of this incentive scheme. It should focus more on town and urban areas to ensure there will be repopulation. At the same time, the guidelines must ensure that the people in my county and other rural parts of Ireland who wish to build houses on their own land will be allowed to do so without fear or favour from An Bord Pleanála or any other outside agencies.

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