Pat Casey (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The issue I wish to raise today relates to the development levy waiver scheme that the Minister, Darragh O'Brien, introduced last April. It was introduced at the time to try to offset the inflationary cost but it has proved more successful way beyond that. The reason I say that is because there have been a significant number of developments that were probably not viable without the development levy waiver scheme. That could be related to small developments in more rural towns or rural areas which it has facilitated in the delivery of the housing stock. It has also assisted in the whole area of affordability, and the third area relates to the one-off rural houses. Those were also able to avail of the development levy waiver scheme, and each rural applicant building his or her house at the moment gets that levy waived. That could be anything from €5,000 up to €12,000, depending on each application. As I said, it will come to an end on 24 April next. It is time to reflect on the success of this scheme. I call today for the scheme to be extended further. We are making progress in housing. We see that progress in every one of our counties. We see housing being built. Now is not the time to take the foot off the accelerator. There is an initiative here that is working. We must keep it working in order that we can continue in the delivery of housing. I call on the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, to extend the development levy waiver scheme at least for another year.