Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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540. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government what other soft costs, such as connection fees and levies, are included in the price of each house; and the amount the Government, local authorities and semi-State utilities collect on all soft costs which are included in the building of all homes in Ireland. [44001/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department published the Total Development Cost report in September 2024. This study provides a complete overview of development costs including construction costs and soft costs.

It defines soft costs as being made up of a range of indirect costs which are incurred in the process of development and can include indirect costs including statutory fees, professional fees, finance and development contingencies, Utility Levies (including ESB, Uisce Éireann, Planning fees, BER Certificate, Latent Defects Insurance) land costs and Vat. The percentage of each element of soft cost will vary depending on a range of factors including house type, location, size and specification.

The Total Development Cost report, which includes the breakdown for soft costs for a typical house, suburban and urban apartments and purpose built student accommodation, can be accessed on my Department's website at the following link: assets.gov.ie/305884/f49ac2f1-c784-4b0e-957d-8869c574d123.pdf

Government initiatives introduced last year included the development levy waiver and the Uisce Éireann rebate. The development levy waiver has since been extended to include residential developments for which development works commence before the end of 2024 and with completion dates up to 31 December 2026.

The water connection charges refund applies to residential developments commencing on site between 25 April 2023 and 30 September 2024, and which are also to be completed no later than 31 December 2026. Applications for Uisce Éireann refunds can only be accepted up to 31 December 2024.

Local authority income from planning application fees and development contributions is published in the Amalgamated Audited Annual Financial Statements of all 31 local authorities, and can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/e103b-local-authority-annual-financial-statements/