Waiver on development levies to be extended – Harris
Taoiseach Simon Harris said today there is capacity to build 60,000 homes a year and there is a need to continue the supply of new homes.
Speaking on Today with Claire Byrne, he said that almost 33,000 home were completed last year.
“I said we would build 250,000 more houses between 2025 and 2030. And we will,” he stated. He said that target was shared by builders and the Construction Industry Federation.
Mr Harris said this will be possible with extra work force, extra apprentices, modern building methods and ongoing schemes to encourage supply.
He also said the Government has decided to extend the waiving of development levies which he said will make homes cheaper to build and cheaper to buy.
Since the introduction of the waiver, he said there has been a significant increase in the number of new homes being built.
The waiver was due to expire at the end of this month but Mr Harris said it would now be extended.
The Taoiseach also said he wants to see an increase at the point of which people enter the higher level of tax and the USC burden reduced for middle and low income workers.
“I think people want us to see better than just giving ‘a few bucks on tax”,” he added.
He pointed out that a number of incentives have been introduced to help reduce household burdens including the expansion of hot school meals, free school books and lower third level fees.
The totality of a household income is not just around tax, he said.
The Taoiseach said he is conscious that the price of fuel is rising again but said the carbon tax is helping those on fuel allowances or people retro fitting their homes.
Article Source – Waiver on development levies to be extended – Harris – RTE
