Mayo call to extend levies waiver for first time buyers

THE contribution fees waiver scheme for first time buyers trying to build homes needs to be extended.

Mayo Councillor Marie There Duffy says the fees are impeding people trying to build homes and she asked for the waiver scheme, which expired earlier this year, to be extended.

In response to her notice of motion before Mayo County Council, Councillor Duffy was told that claims for the levy waiver had to be submitted by developers to local authorities not later than February 28 last. Requests for refunds of new water services connection charges had to be made to Uisce Éireann not later than December 31, 2024.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage operated the scheme and it is not within the remit of Mayo County Council to extend the scheme.

Councillor Duffy asked the council to engage with the department to request funding support to enable the local authority to waive development fees and support home builders.

With the deadlines, one constituent was being charged €4,060 in development fees while someone up the road who built last year wasn't required to pay anything, she pointed out. It was very frustrating for people.

Councillor Peter Flynn supported the waiver return, saying they should be encouraging people to build, noting it is a substantial cost.

Councillor Patsy O'Brien has also advocated for waivers of development levies, saying they have to support people who want to build.

Every region needs these people to build up our schools and communities, he said.