First time buyers and young farmers should be exempt from the concrete levy according to a Fianna Fáil TD.
Barry Cowen says the levy, announced in Tuesday's budget, is understandable as a measure to pay for the MICA redress scheme.
The Society of Chartered Surveyors expects the levy to add between 3,000 and 4,000 euro to the cost of the average three-bedroom Semi Detached home.
Deputy Cowen says that could put home ownership or agricultural upgrades out of reach of first time buyers and young farmers:
"Especially in relation to construction costs, especially in relation to the cost of young homebuyers to get onto the market, to get onto the ladder. They would need some help and assistance and I would hope Government would look at a means or method by which there might be some exemptions for first time buyers; and indeed young farmers who take up long term leases or inherit farms. We need to bring them up to meet the requirements. Today's farming practice requires that they be getting some exemption too".
