Hardware Association Ireland launches its Pre-Budget Submission 2024

On Tuesday 1st August Hardware Association Ireland (HAI) launched their pre-budget submission which contains 24 recommendations to Government. The pre-budget submission aims to highlight the potential of bringing empty homes back to life. Rejuvenating empty homes is an important strand in the overall strategy that the association wishes to present to Government to solve the housing crisis.

HAI CEO Martin Markey and HAI President Paul Candon (United Hardware) at the launch of HAI’s Pre-Budget Submission 2024.

Principle amongst these recommendations is encouraging shop owners to look at renovating properties that are in towns and villages across Ireland. Many shops have large and empty rooms above these units that are in urgent need of renovation. Many of these are three or more storeys and with the correct support can be quickly converted into three or more homes in a cost-efficient way.

Amongst the key proposals presented today are:

• Waive capital gains tax on empty homes for a three-year period.
• Apply a 6% annual derelict property tax on derelict properties.
• Extend the vacant homes grants to those with more than one unit above shops
• Include rejuvenation of empty homes in the Government overall housing targets.
• Reduce the VAT on new built homes from 13.5% to 4.8%
• Extend the Credit Union Bill to provide a bridging loan

Commenting on this, Hardware Association Ireland Chief Executive, Martin Markey, said; “The background to these recommendations is to seek to accelerate the marketplace in a cost effective and timely manner. Amongst the key obstacles are the mass skill shortages that exist within the building trade, which is something we are very familiar with and see on a daily basis”.

President Paul Candon went on to say; “Hardware Association Ireland is grateful to the Department of Housing for adopting a number of our measures which have been highlighted in last year’s submission. These were backbone of the Action Plan for Vacant Homes. The Association hopes to continually support the Government with its desire of creating new homes with its innovative concepts which the Association has researched and presented from its wealth of industry professionals.”

Hardware Association Ireland is the representative body for Irish hardware and DIY retailers, builders’ merchants, distributers, and manufacturers. It represents over 400 members nationwide and 26,000 staff in the sector. The association uniquely represents all levels of the supply chain and include within membership ranks national and international companies, multi-branch chains & smaller independent hardware businesses.

ENDS.

Full report available by clicking here.

Please note: Martin Markey is available for interview.

For more information please contact:

Oisin Sheedy                                                               Paul Allen

Paul Allen & Associates                                             Paul Allen & Associates

18 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2                                18 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2

01 676 9575 / 083 877 4507                                          01 676 9575 / 087 257 5700