Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will talk about the islands. We are trying to repopulate our islands. Again, west Cork has some of the most beautiful and stunning inhabited islands, including Cape Clear, Sherkin, Dursey and Bear islands, to name just a few, but there is an issue. We have an issue in populating our housing and there is a housing issue. We introduced Croí Cónaithe, and an enhanced rate for it, to try to incentivise renovation of existing properties but that will only go so far. The frustrating thing is that these island councils on the individual islands are trying to think outside the box as regards how they increase housing on an island and encourage people to come. What they have done, for example on Cape Clear, is to follow the example of the Western Isles of Scotland.

There is a programme called gateway housing there. On Cape Clear they wanted to build four houses and give people an opportunity to experience island life. The people may pay rent in one of these houses for a two-year period, maybe in line with social housing rent prices. They would have a chance to experience what island life is like. It is so clever and so simple. When we have a place like Cape Clear that is struggling to keep its primary school open - there are only five students there at the moment - it so important that we encourage people out. Everyone thinks it is a good idea. I am sure that people listening would say "Yes that makes sense", but it is not backed by policy and it is not backed by the Cork County Council development plan because the island is seen as the same as the rest of the municipal district. There is a need within this Bill and we have to introduce something that incentivises innovative housing schemes like gateway housing in order that people have an opportunity to experience island life and then they may choose to stay there. Islands are such rich places. They are rich in culture, are rich in beauty and are such a great option for people but they need that opportunity to be able to live in these islands. What I would really like taken away from this contribution is that we introduce some type of policy, were Cape Clear to go for this again. They have gone for it but they were turned down by Cork County Council because the policy did not back it, but there is nothing we can do about that. This legislation might be an opportunity to address that.

A big chicken and egg scenario is the fact that we have villages and towns right across Ireland - and again I come back to Cork - where developers might be ready to press the "go" button, where sites might be available for development, and where you could get estates of 30 or 40 houses built. These are really important in areas where there is demand to live but they cannot be developed, mainly because of the lack of wastewater infrastructure in particular, or even drinking water. In Clonakilty it was a case of drinking water but thankfully there has been an enhanced supply which has allowed developments to go ahead now. That will not last forever and it will come to a pinch point again. There needs to be joined-up thinking between the local authorities, the Government and Irish Water so if we can identify a village where there is demand for 40, 50, or 60 houses and a developer is ready to go but the wastewater infrastructure is at capacity, then we have to get in there and build that wastewater system straight away. That is how we will increase supply of housing in Ireland in the areas that need it. I am not sure how that could be reflected in this Bill but I would certainly like to have this looked at.

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