Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
590. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason for keeping private housing construction closed while repairs to social housing remain open in view of the fact that all housing is essential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14037/21]
View answer591. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider opening up private housing construction due to the fact that contracts for sale are signed and mortgages are in place, and if they expire the sales will fall through; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14038/21]
View answer594. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to urgent representations made on behalf of a person (details supplied); the way under level 5 restrictions by which a person with a serious medical condition who requires construction work as a result of this condition can obtain written confirmation that the proposed construction work is deemed essential for health reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14908/21]
View answer653. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a family (details supplied) will be permitted to complete construction works in their house to repair the roof and rear supporting wall given that the property is currently uninhabitable and the recent bad weather has damaged the property significantly. [14492/21]
View answer665. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if medically necessary work for which no grant has been sought can be deemed essential construction during level 5 restrictions. [14673/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 590, 591, 594, 653 and 665 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). The decision on restrictions was taken by the Government following advice from NPHET.
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. No other private housing construction activity is allowed under the Regulations.
On 23 February, the Government announced that the current level 5 restrictions will remain in place until 5 April 2021, when the easing of restrictions relating to construction will be considered.
