Kerry halves development levies in move to stimulate job creation
The county has more than 17,000 on the Live Register and the move by the county council is seen as a stimulus to job creation.
The council’s levy reduction will apply to industrial and manufacturing operations, financial services and other businesses which are grant-aided or supported by the IDA, Enterprise Ireland or local development agencies.
However, the local authority’s head of finance John O’Connor emphasised there would be no money to improve water services and provide better road networks across the county without levies.
The cost of constructing relief roads in several towns around Kerry, including Ballybunion, Caherciveen, Dingle, Tralee and a new bridge over the River Laune, in Killorglin, is reckoned to top €66 million.
The maximum level of funding expected from central government for these roads over the next 20 years is 50%, with the balance to come from development levies, according to the council.
The 2010-2012 water and sewerage programme has been estimated to cost more than€33m. “There’s no way the water programme can be implemented without development levies,” Mr O’Connor said.
Independent councillor Brendan Cronin said there was a critical need for improved water and sewerage schemes and the levies were necessary.
For people building their own houses, the amended development contribution scheme provides for a reduction in the charge for water and sewerage from €9,549 to €6,500 for a 130 square metre house.
The charge will apply to homes that do not have an on-site septic tank and well, but instead want to connect to public mains.
Furthermore, a €14,000 levy payable by telecommunications companies erecting masts in the county is to be put towards amenities for communities living close to masts.
Cllr John Brassil (FF) proposed that if a property tax was introduced by the Government, development levies should be abolished.
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