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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Tipperary TD Michael Lowry has welcomed plans to extend the waiver scheme for development levies and the Water Connection Charge, calling the move “wise and essential.”
His comments come as Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien announced government plans to extend the scheme until the end of the year.
Mr Lowry said this will not only help builders but local businesses as well.
“I have been actively promoting this move with the Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien, having met with several people in my Constituency who are increasingly anxious about the availability of housing.
“I have also been speaking with members of the Construction Industry Federation and the Irish Homebuilders Association, who have confirmed the effectiveness of the waivers to date,” says Mr Lowry.
At this month’s sitting of Tipperary County Council, several councillors called for the waiver scheme to be extended.
Cllr Michael Fitzgerald said it was “vitally important” for people building their first homes and to help builders.
He called on the council to “apply pressure” to ensure the scheme is extended.
Nenagh councillor John Carroll said the scheme is important for rural Ireland, while his colleague Michael O’Meara said local authorities should make a “strong argument” for its extension.
“It would be political suicide for the powers that be to get rid of the waiver scheme,” said Cllr O’Meara.
Cllr Andy Moloney said the scheme was essential to help young people get a start.
“We have all spent good money putting them through college to get good jobs and now they can’t get on the property ladder,” said Cllr Moloney.
At the meeting, the director of services for planning Sharon Kennedy said they had contacted the department.
She said they had no intention to review the scheme.
Development levies are paid to Local Authorities by developers when they build both residential and commercial buildings.
Last year the levies were suspended for one-off homes in the hopes of stimulating commencements.
That waiver is due to expire on April 24.
However, reports indicate the government plans to extend the suspension until the end of the year.
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