A report on defective apartments built during the boom years will not recommend a levy on the construction sector to help the State meet the bill for repairs.
The independent review, commissioned by Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien last year, says an industry levy would target those who did not cause the defects, would face legal issues and have a knock-on impact for current construction costs.
Its understood that it leaves open the possibility of a levy being imposed, saying the Government is already examining an industry levy in relation to the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme, and in the context it should consider the findings of this report.
The report, due to be published later, is expected to find up to 100,000 apartments built during the Celtic Tiger era have defects, mainly in relation to fire safety and water ingress (damage). The cost for remedial repairs would be between €1.5bn and €2.5bn.
Earlier this month, Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath said the Government cannot shoulder the full responsibility for the cost of repairing defective apartments and the construction industry will have to pay part of the bill.
He told RTÉ News: “We acknowledge that, in the resolution of this issue, the State does have a role to play, but it cannot solely fall on the State to resolve the issue.”
Article Source: No levy due on construction sector over defective apartments – Report – RTE