Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 May 2023
146. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the waiver of water connection charges for new properties will take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23070/23]
View answerOn 25 April 2023, the Government approved additional measures under the Housing for All Action Plan to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and assist the achievement of the housing delivery targets set in Housing for All, while also addressing cost and viability issues faced by the construction sector. These measures included 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 wastewater connection charges.
It should be noted that the Uisce Éireann standard water and waste water connection charges referenced in the new Government support package will still have to be paid upfront by developers in the normal manner, with the monies being subsequently refunded by Uisce Éireann on notification of the commencement of works i.e. in effect it is a rebate rather than a waiver arrangement.
The new schemes apply for 1 year to all permitted residential development:
• that commences on site between 25 April 2023 (the date of the Government Decision approving the measure) and 24 April 2024, and
• is completed not later than 31 December 2025.
This end date is to facilitate large schemes to be speedily brought forward and progressed, while also incentivising their completion as quickly as possible within a reasonable timeframe and delivering urgent housing supply.
In line with the Government decision, the arrangements cannot be applied retrospectively in respect of housing development that had already commenced on site prior to 25 April 2023.
My officials are currently working on the detailed arrangements in relation to the operation and administration of both the waiver and refund schemes. These arrangements will be communicated to local authorities and Uisce Éireann as soon as possible.
