Help with new homes

Cllr Joe Hannigan has asked Tipperary Co Council to write to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage about the various schemes available to help people build or buy new homes.

Speaking at last week's meeting of the council, Cllr Hannigan said an extension should be sought on the waiver of development fees for new residential development. The temporary waiver was introduced last April and expires this April.

But Cllr Hannigan said a lot of people have not availed of the waiver because they did not realise it was in place. He spoke similarly of the first-time buyer scheme and other incentives to kick-start new home purchasing and building.

Cllr Michael O'Meara supported the call to write to the minister, saying a lot of people going for planning do not know where to start. Cllr Ger Darcy also hoped the waiver scheme could be extended beyond April.

Director of Services Sharon Kennedy said the council would write to the minister's department about the waiver on fees. Ms Kennedy made the point that the council has run workshops on the various schemes that people can avail of, including schemes to refurbish vacant buildings.