Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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369. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will review correspondence from a person (details supplied) in view of recent building materials price increases; if further consideration will be given to the request.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25605/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Changes in relation to building material costs are monitored and recorded by the Central Statistics Office (Wholesale Price Index for Building & Construction Materials). Issues relating to increases in construction costs generally and measures to address such issues, are matters for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, whose Department convenes the Construction Sector Group to support regular and open dialogue between Government and industry on how best to achieve and maintain a sustainable and innovative construction sector positioned to successfully deliver on the commitments in Project Ireland 2040.

Given my own Department’s role in relation to public housing, we of course are concerned with regard to construction costs and recognise that significant material cost increases can result in increased tender costs. In this regard, we continually monitor tender cost trends through ongoing engagement with colleagues in local authorities and through engagement with other Departments and the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland.  My Department continues to work with each local authority to ensure that projects are developed and progressed in a cost effective manner.

In relation to the specific project mentioned, it is primarily one for resolution between the developer and the local authority concerned. I understand that the Council and the developer are currently in discussions on this matter.