An Taisce, The National Trust for Ireland, welcomes the announcement by the Minister for Finance that there will be an exemption from property tax for the renovation of Georgian Houses and those adapted for the handicapped.

But what about people who ‘improve’ the energy efficiency of their houses?

The construction industry has collapsed except for unfortunately unsustainable one-off house construction in rural areas and the welcome and the very sustainable energy upgrading of existing homes.

This niche area of growing Irish expertise is threatened by the Residential Property Tax unless some mitigation mechanism can be devised.

ENDS

For further information, please call:

Charles Stanley-Smith, An Taisce Communications – Tel: 087 2411995

James Nix, Operations Director, An Taisce – Tel: 086 8394129

Email: [email protected]

An Taisce The National Trust for Ireland