Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 May 2023
348. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can confirm that the recently announced exemption from development charges includes exemption from water charge connection fees from group water schemes and connection charges to the ESB networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21593/23]
View answerOn 25 April 2023 the Government approved additional measures under Housing for All to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and help reduce housing construction costs, including the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges.
My Department issued a circular letter to all local authorities on 28 April, setting out the broad parameters of the scheme, a copy of which can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/circular/10e02-circular-pl-042023-temporary-time-limited-waiver-in-respect-of-development-contributions/
My Department is currently working on the detailed arrangements in relation to the operation and administration of the development contribution waiver scheme. However, I can confirm that ESB Network connection charges or Group Water Scheme charges do not fall within the scope of the measures recently approved by Government. The water connection charge refund scheme will only apply to water and waste water connection charges payable to Uisce Éireann.
