ICMSA challenges new levy on construction
The new charges, which take effect from September 6, are part of the local authorities development contribution scheme.
Gerard Quain, chairman of Limerick ICMSA, said that they were asking for the removal of the charge of €2,625 per 100 square metres which is to be imposed on farm buildings over 200 square metres.
He said that the once-off charge on new houses being built in rural areas of €2,700 or €3,700 (dependent on the presence of a public water supply) should also be reviewed.
According to a Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CCI) survey, Limerick will be levying the highest charge in the country (€116.55 per square metre).
Dublin City Council is the next highest at €110, but charges are as low as €6.98, in Donegal.
Development contributions charged by Cork County Council average €99 per square metre.
Mr Quain said that the local election results in Co Limerick showed that farmers and rural dwellers were not happy with the councillors' performance. The new council now had the opportunity to "go back to the level of development charges in place before April, 2004," he said.
"People are the livelihood of rural areas and this is another charge which will force people out of rural Ireland. I view these charges as a two-finger gesture to rural development.
"I believe that planning and development charges were key issues of discontent for rural voters. It is clear that the new council has been given a mandate to change the situation with regard to development contributions.
"I am now calling on the council to carry out a full review of these development levies. Government funding for local authorities has increased significantly and there is no need or justification for development levies," he went on.
"The people have spoken on June 11 and their discontent with stealth charges, such as development contribution schemes, was made clear".
CCI has also criticised the charges because, they claim, the process for calculating them is not as transparent as Environment Minister Martin Cullen had indicated.
