Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021
314. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a hardship payment to cover the period during which persons building new homes have not been able progress the construction of their homes due to level 5 restrictions but during this period have had to pay both rent, accommodation fees and mortgage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17210/21]
View answerThe 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 were 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 provided 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 provided 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 was allowed under the Regulations. There is no provision for the payment of expenses in relation to costs incurred during the period of the restrictions.
On 30 March, the Government announced that all residential construction could resume from 12 April 2021.
