Councillor opposes development levy

A Westport councillor has condemned the development levy on those building a new homes, particularly where it affects young couples.

During a discussion on housing at the December meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District, Independent Cllr John O’Malley said he was strongly opposed to the levy.

"I think it’s not right for a young couple who find it very hard to get the money together - where it will cost at least €300,000 even to build a house if they have a site - that when they get planning they then have to pay a development levy.

“I know it is a government thing and I think it is wrong. It is different if it’s charged on rich people coming in from abroad buying property, but I think for local people trying to start and raise a family, there should be no development levy on them and we should be encouraging people to live in rural areas as it would help us keep our shops, post offices, schools and garda stations there."

Cllr O'Malley claimed the development levy was having other knock-on effects.

“Instead, all it has done is bring more people into towns and cities and cause more trouble. 

"We would not have half the trouble if people were encouraged to live in rural Ireland. It is hard to be safe in any town now in Ireland... and it has put me wondering should I even walk the streets by myself anymore. There are not enough gardaí on the beat, we should have more rural gardaí because people are breaking into houses, and we should have more of a rural community. 

"There was more people living in rural areas years ago, and if we could return to that and let each have their football teams and their scores to celebrate, we would have a better country.”