Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 47:

In page 25, line 23, to delete “78 weeks” and substitute “130 weeks”.

This amendment is one that the homeowners have asked us to press. I am also genuinely mystified by this restriction stipulating that homeowners must have work done within 78 weeks. When developers get planning permission to build houses, they have up to five years to do so. There is a good reason therefore for this amendment, in which we are asking that the time allowed be extended to 130 weeks. Sometimes people do not have the money to pay for the work on their house within 78 weeks. They need more flexibility. Despite what the Minister said, we know this is not a 100% redress scheme. There is going to be a shortfall. I pointed out the shortfall in the context of inflation earlier as just one example.

There is no reason why we should not accede to the homeowners' request. I stress again that they have asked for this amendment, and they are watching, to allow them additional time. In this regard, issues could also be encountered concerning materials and the supply of labour to get the work done on a house. The attempt to box homeowners into a 78-week period to get building work done is unacceptable. I fully understand why homeowners in all the counties involved are so furious about this issue. It is a perfectly reasonable request to extend the time allowed to 130 weeks.

I am getting more concerned about this aspect. To date, the Minister has not accepted even one of our amendments. This is the last opportunity to improve this scheme and to make it better for the people impacted. They are asking us clearly for this extension of the time allowed to 130 weeks. Are the Minister and his Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael colleagues opposite really not going to listen to this reasonable and timely request?