Richard O'Donoghue criticises defective block scheme and costs
Richard O'Donoghue criticised the cost and implementation of the defective block scheme, arguing it will price people out of rebuilding and repairing homes. He highlighted a 5% tax on concrete products and said per-square-foot charges have risen from €100 to €200, and confirmed the scheme remains under review.
He opened by welcoming the CBS from Charval (later referenced as CBS Charleville) and their teachers, noted a visit to Doyler, and offered birthday wishes to Maddy and a mention of his nephew Shane.
He said a 5% levy on concrete products was introduced and framed in per-square-foot terms, with costs he described rising from €100 to €200 a square foot. He argued that increased charges and taxation risk making future homebuilding unaffordable for those planning to rebuild or build houses.
He set out concerns about the remedial approach under the scheme, noting tier 1, tier 2, tier 3 and tier 4 classifications and examples where engineers have recommended lifting roofs and rebuilding walls. He said the engineering interventions often do not make economic sense for homeowners.
He said the State sought to recover revenue because of the extraordinary outlay involved in the defective block scheme and accepted that parts of the industry bear responsibility. He confirmed the scheme will continue to be kept under review.
His remarks included an acknowledgement of industry responsibility and a reiteration that the scheme remains under review, with some of the closing audio in the transcript unclear.
Event and welcome
He opened by welcoming the CBS from Charval (later referenced as CBS Charleville) and their teachers, noted a visit to Doyler, and offered birthday wishes to Maddy and a mention of his nephew Shane.
Tax and cost concerns
He said a 5% levy on concrete products was introduced and framed in per-square-foot terms, with costs he described rising from €100 to €200 a square foot. He argued that increased charges and taxation risk making future homebuilding unaffordable for those planning to rebuild or build houses.
Engineering and remedial requirements
He set out concerns about the remedial approach under the scheme, noting tier 1, tier 2, tier 3 and tier 4 classifications and examples where engineers have recommended lifting roofs and rebuilding walls. He said the engineering interventions often do not make economic sense for homeowners.
Responsibility and State response
He said the State sought to recover revenue because of the extraordinary outlay involved in the defective block scheme and accepted that parts of the industry bear responsibility. He confirmed the scheme will continue to be kept under review.
Audio and concluding remarks
His remarks included an acknowledgement of industry responsibility and a reiteration that the scheme remains under review, with some of the closing audio in the transcript unclear.
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Transcript
I'd like to welcome the CBS here from Charval today and their teachers that made the journey up here today, and to Mattie and her sixth birthday coming here today, and to my nephew Shane who actually goes to the CBS. But today I'm going to ask you about the defective blocks. You mentioned 2.2 billion is going to be spent on this. When this tax was brought in on 5% on concrete products, it was brought in per square foot was 100 euros a square foot. It is now 200 euros a square foot. When you look at the CBS people that want to build a house in the future, and tell them we have now inflation gone from 100 euros a square foot to 200 euros a square foot. And the government, all they are doing is taxing us out of existence. So the same people that want to rebuild or build a house will not be able to afford it. And the people that have existing houses, you now have a tier 1, tier 2, tier 3 and tier 4, which means now engineers want you to lift the roof off the house, take down some of the walls and rebuild some of the walls. When you look at the cost of trying to get the engineers to do it, it does not make economic sense. I certainly want to welcome CBS Charleville to Doyler and hope that you have an enjoyable and fruitful and enlightening day. Is it Maddy? Maddy. Maddy. Maddy. I wish Maddy a very happy birthday and I presume it is because of Maddy's birthday that everybody is here to enjoy themselves. Maddy. Maddy. In respect of the defective block scheme, obviously the State was anxious to try and recover some revenue given the extraordinary outlay that is involved in the defective concrete block scheme, and the industry does bear some responsibility for what transpired. Not everybody obviously in the industry, but certain players in the industry do, and the State felt that there was a necessity to get some back. But there are issues, and we will continue to keep this scheme on the review. . And the。 . S D ? ? ? You. D ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?