Danny Healy-Rae criticises planning clause and VAT on homes
Danny Healy-Rae told the minister that planning clauses and 'urban generated pressure' are stopping people in Kerry from building houses on their own land. He argued that VAT, levies and a lack of local wastewater and water infrastructure are major obstacles to affordable homes.
Healy-Rae said it was a scandal that people who could build homes for themselves in Kerry are barred by a planning clause and strict 'urban generated pressure', including young people who want to build next to their parents on family land.
He criticised the absence of wastewater treatment plants and insufficient water supplies in many towns and villages, saying these gaps prevent people from building and connecting to services.
Healy-Rae highlighted that a third of the cost of every house is made up of VAT, levies and taxes. He asked the minister to follow the UK's approach by removing VAT costs or allowing people to claim back VAT to lower building costs.
He raised concerns about vacant houses across Kerry and 'Kark' and said owners are reluctant to rent when they have to 'pay back 50% of what they get from the rent', linking tax treatment to reduced rental supply.
Planning clause impact
Healy-Rae said it was a scandal that people who could build homes for themselves in Kerry are barred by a planning clause and strict 'urban generated pressure', including young people who want to build next to their parents on family land.
Infrastructure shortages
He criticised the absence of wastewater treatment plants and insufficient water supplies in many towns and villages, saying these gaps prevent people from building and connecting to services.
VAT, levies and construction costs
Healy-Rae highlighted that a third of the cost of every house is made up of VAT, levies and taxes. He asked the minister to follow the UK's approach by removing VAT costs or allowing people to claim back VAT to lower building costs.
Vacant homes and rental taxation
He raised concerns about vacant houses across Kerry and 'Kark' and said owners are reluctant to rent when they have to 'pay back 50% of what they get from the rent', linking tax treatment to reduced rental supply.
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Transcript
Minister, it is a scandal to God above and heaven that there's people who want and could build a house for themselves in Kerry, can't because of this planning clause, strict urban generated pressure. This means that young people that want to build next door to their parents on their own land, that they're not allowed to do it. I wanted to look at that. It's a sad state of affairs that in many of our towns and villages, we don't have a treatment plant that people can build and tap into these shores. Even in many towns now and villages, we don't have enough water. And the cost thing, if we're to help people and say we're doing something about affordable homes, I'm asking you please to do like the UK are doing. There's no VAT costs or that they give the people can claim back the VAT. A third of every house that's built is VAT and levies and taxes. And that's the honest truth about it. If we're meaning to do something and just in relation to vacant homes, because they're in Kerry and they're in Kark and they're everywhere, and right around me, vacant houses, people won't rent when they have to pay back 50% of what they get from the rent. Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair