Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Are there any new or innovative ideas that short-term letting or home-sharing could offer to the charities involved in this area, including those represented at today's meeting? I accept that Airbnb has not caused the housing and homelessness crisis with which we are dealing. Obviously, supply and affordability are massive factors. This committee will discuss the quarterly report relating to Rebuilding Ireland tomorrow. We are aware that local authorities are being tasked with coming up with State-owned land in their respective areas where affordable and social housing can be developed. Senator Boyhan will be familiar with a site in our area of Dún Laoghaire where there is the potential to return almost 500 units. It is up to local authorities to decide whether the units that are developed should be private, affordable, rent-to-buy, build-to-rent or social. They are tasked with making those decisions. We know that local authorities own over 600 sites throughout the country with the potential to return 10,000 units. While we are waiting on that supply, we have problems in other areas as well. I wonder whether the witnesses can see any innovative ideas or alternatives in the short-term lettings area. I invite all the witnesses to respond to the various points that have been made.