Hardware sector launches major plan to boost construction jobs and retrofitting

An extensive plan of incentives for home renovation, retrofitting and first-time buyers has been launched today (Monday 6th July) by Hardware Association Ireland (HAI). The plan, entitled ‘Rebuilding Our Future’, aims to boost the economy and create jobs while delivering on the wider objectives of reducing carbon emissions and helping first time buyers.

The plan can be read and downloaded in full here.

The four key pillars of HAI’s plan are:

• Re-introducing the Home Renovation Incentive scheme from 2020-2023 to encourage homeowners and landlords to renovate their properties.
• Encouraging homeowners to retrofit their homes by using the Home Renovation Incentive Scheme model, which has worked in the past.
• Providing incentives for first-time buyers by including second-hand homes in the Help to Buy Incentive Scheme and allowing banks to make more exceptions to the deposit and income rules.
• Providing more incentives for training and upskilling employees in the sector and providing support for training in installing and fitting new green technology.

Commenting on the launch of the Rebuilding Our Future plan, HAI President Sean Moran said; ‘’Rebuilding Our Future has a number of key recommendations that will be good for job creation, the economy and our environment. We need to get people back to work and reduce our carbon emissions in a way that doesn’t put a huge burden on the taxpayer and the State’s finances. Our plan does just that along with providing much needed support for first time buyers.’’

According to HAI Chief Executive, Martin Markey, the core elements of the Rebuilding Our Future plan are tried, tested and have yielded great tax returns for the Irish Exchequer; ‘’We believe the Rebuilding Our Future proposals to Government present a winning formula in generating economic activity throughout the country. The proposals are based around the Home Renovation Incentive Scheme which was in place from 2013-2018. It was hugely successful in getting the building materials and construction sector back to work and stimulating economic activity while costing the taxpayer very little. The plan will involve giving homeowners tax credits for renovating or retrofitting their homes. This makes retrofitting and improving older housing stock much cheaper for the homeowner immediately.’’

Martin went on to say; ‘’In the coming weeks and months we will be engaging strongly with the Government and putting our case to them that the Rebuilding Our Future plan is good for jobs, good for our economy, good for our environment, good for homeowners and good for first-time buyers at a minimal cost to the taxpayer. It delivers a badly needed shot in the arm for the economy and the construction sector across Ireland.’’

The full Rebuilding Our Future is available to download on Hardware Association Ireland’s website here.

Hardware Association Ireland is the representative body for Irish hardware and DIY retailers, builders’ merchants, distributors and manufacturers. It represents over 400 members nationwide and 26,000 staff in the sector.

This press release can be read and downloaded here.