First time house buyers in the county should claim a €1,500 refund from the county council, where a contribution for water and sewerage services has been paid directly by them, for planning permissions granted after March 2 2004.
This was highlighted following a notion of motion put forward by Councillor Frank Durcan who wants the council to advertise the availability of the €1,000 in respect of sewage services and €500 in respect of water services.
A report circulated said that the council will pay this on production of suitable certification to the council and a refund can only be made to the person who made the payment. That means that in the case of a developer paying developer contributions, a refund can not be made to a third party who made no payment to this council.
Cllr Durcan accused the council of “stealing money”, as if money was paid through the developer the refund cannot be made. Cllr Michelle Mulherin said that in the “interest of fair play that genuine cases” should be refunded in this “flawed scheme”.
County manager Peter Hynes said that the scheme is “operating in accordance with the law”, and he “absolutely refutes the accusation that the council are stealing money”. Mr Hynes said that the scheme was advertised in 2004 and the council has refunded a number of applicants who have met the requirements.
