Finance Bill 2025 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2025-12-09
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Patricia Stephenson (SD), Labour Panel

Relying on tax breaks for developers has been tested previously. It did not lead to the delivery of more housing. There was a demonstration today which, I am sure, some Senators saw. The Irish Wheelchair Association and other interest groups related to the disability rights sector are talking about people living with disabilities having additional costs of up to €30,000 per year, simply for living with a disability. We then see these tax breaks for developers. With all due respect, there is no evidence that this measure is not going to line developers pockets. There is no evidence that it will lead to reduced costs for the individual buyer. While I respect the idea of first-time homes, there will be people living in tiny, single-aspect apartments who will not be able to move to the next-stage home because it will not be there. We need the State to build homes directly and not to rely on the private sector.
Everyone in the Chamber knows that a budget is a reflection of a society and of who we are. This suggests that we preference tax breaks for developers over supporting those who are in most need. People are choosing between heating and eating this Christmas and winter. That is shameful.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2025-12-09/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:26+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-12-09