Potential scrapping of development levies a ‘desperate act’, says Doolan

Sinn Fein’s Dublin housing spokesperson, councillor Daithí Doolan has criticised the Government for considering to scrap development levies.

Doolan says this move would be a “desperate act by a directionless Government.”

“Sinn Féin are deeply concerned that the scrapping of development levies will lead to a serious loss of revenue for Dublin,” he said.

“The Government must take a step back from this ill thought out proposal.

“Scrapping development levies will have a marginal effect on the cost of houses.

“It will only amount to a reduction of €10,000 to the cost of an average Dublin home.

“This is yet another knee jerk reaction from a directionless Government.”

Doolan says that the Government must clarify if local authorities will be compensated for this cut in potential funding.

“Dublin City Council’s capital budget of €2.4BN covers housing, roads, environment protection and culture.

“Levies provide 9.3% of this budget.

“Losing this income will prevent the council from carrying out essential works already agreed by Dublin City Council.

“This Government has utterly failed to tackle the causes and consequences of the housing crisis. The proposal to scrap development levies is more evidence of a desperate Government bankrupt of any real housing policies “