Hardware Association Ireland’s Pre-Budget Submission 2022

Hardware Association Ireland (HAI) is pleased to launch its Pre-Budget Submission for 2022. In advance of Housing for All it was sent to Minister O’Brien and also to Minister Donohoe ahead of the Budget.

Hardware Association Ireland began the process of compiling its recommendations at a time when the sector began emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic. Many parts of the economy have remained strong, and our sector has proven itself to be resilient. However, we are challenged by a chronic shortage of affordable homes, new residential building is not meeting targets, and there is much work to be done to deliver on our climate change commitments.

HAI’s Budget Submission can be read in full here, and its seven recommendations are summarised below:

1. Home Renovation Incentive Scheme for Renovations
2. Home Renovation Incentive Scheme for Energy Retrofitting of Homes
3. Support for Renovating Vacant and Derelict Properties – whether to live in, sell or rent.
4. New Home Building – Supports for Home Building and for those buying a home
5. Upskilling the sector and Re-skilling New Employees
6. Special Consideration for Timber Industry
7. Introduce voucher scheme for winter fuel allowance

These recommendations are based on many conversations with members and other stakeholders. HAI believe that if Government turn these recommendations into policy, it will chart a profitable and stable course for the sector, the economy, and the local communities in which we live and do business.

Following the publication of this Budget Submission, the Department of Housing released its Housing for All plan, in which a number of HAI’s key recommendations are highlighted. For example, there is a commitment to increase the funding to retrofit local authority homes, new requirements on vacant sites to register and tax, and incentives for a move from commercial use to residential use of property. There are also plans to reform the Fair Deal scheme and to develop guidance on grading heritage buildings. There is a commitment to better resource planning departments. There is a mention that an extension to the current Help to Buy scheme will be considered in next month’s Budget.

Housing for All is welcome in its intent, and the commitment to increase the money allocated to housing is a major advance. Its goal of home ownership aligns with the needs of our sector. At this point much of what is in the Housing for All plan is not detailed to the level of recommendation. The delivery of many parts of the plan will be powered through the Land Development Agency, which hasn’t been set up yet.

HAI CEO Martin Markey comments: “We believe the sector needs additional smart incentives to deliver homes quickly. We can optimise supply by both encouraging new builds and renovating and repurposing a large number of vacant dwellings.”

HAI will keep a watching brief on the Housing For All plan develops, and on the forthcoming Budget.

For any queries regarding the Budget Submission, please contact HAI at 01 2980969.