Home Renovation Incentive Scheme will provide huge boost to homeowners and construction workers

15th October 2013

Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Anthony Lawlor TD, warmly welcomes the announcement in today’s (Tuesday) Budget that a Home Renovation Incentive Scheme has been established to assist with home improvements and boost construction industry.

“During the summer I made a Pre Budget Submission to both the Taoiseach and Minister Michael Noonan and outlined to them both my idea for a very similar scheme to that announced in today’s Budget. I felt that home owners desperately needed an incentive to assist in home improvements and extensions. They can now claim back 13.5%, the equivalent of the VAT charged, on works done on their homes. It will also assist with the BER Cert and energy efficiencies on homes, which can only be good for the environment.

“I am particularly pleased that this new incentive will encourage people to move out of the black economy. In order to avail of this scheme the tradesmen must be tax compliant and a VAT registered contractor. This will assist those tradesmen who are currently struggling to compete with those operating in the black economy and provide a much needed boost to construction workers.

“I am delighted that Budget 2014 is focusing on the construction market and ensuring that homeowners can be given a helping hand when upgrading or extending their family homes.”

ENDS