Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The recommendation we have proposed is not 1 million miles away from Fianna Fáil's recommendation and is aimed at broadening the attractiveness of the scheme. The Minister indicated that one could combine a number of jobs with contractors, but what about those who can only do one job that might not reach the €5,000 threshold or cannot afford any further job for several years? They might, for example, have to repay a bank or credit union loan that they took out to cover the cost of the work.

The Minister has stated one of the reasons for the measure is to generate employment. In broadening the attraction of the scheme it is important that we also reduce the threshold because people who are under considerable financial pressure will question whether they can afford to pay for this work. The scheme could be a deciding factor in whether they commission the work. By reducing the threshold, we could increase demand and give contractors on the live register the opportunity to obtain work. All of us know young unemployed electricians, builders and plumbers who are unable to find work and if there was more confidence in terms of being able to claim this relief, they would have more opportunities to tender for smaller refurbishment projects.