Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
292. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider issuing exemptions in written format to private citizens having to conduct emergency works under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9561/21]
View answer329. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if family home renovations will be considered specifically when planning and giving guidance for the reopening of the country over the coming weeks due to the substantial additional cost to families of delayed projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10147/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 329 together.
The Government announced that additional public health restrictions would apply under Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19 on 6 January 2021. The additional restrictions required all construction activity to cease from 6pm on Friday 8 January, with a number of exceptions. These measures are set out in The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 (as amended).
With regard to private housing development, the Regulations provide that housing and construction works ongoing on 8 January could continue where the works required to render the property capable of occupation were scheduled for completion by 31 January 2021. The Regulations also provide for the supply and delivery of essential or emergency maintenance and repair services to businesses and homes (including electrical, gas, oil, plumbing, glazing and roofing services) on an emergency call-out basis.
On 23 February, the Government announced that the current level 5 restrictions will remain in place until 5 April 2021.
