Mr. Anthony Flynn:

Yes, it is very important. We believe city rapid build will become mainstream, in respect of which we are operating a stackable volumetric system. I will respond later to Deputy Cowen's question on how we can move things on in that regard.

With regard to the PPP bundle, there have been difficulties and issues arising in this regard but they relate not to the process, but the consultation with adjoining communities. There is need for greater consultation with the local communities to try to provide them with assurances that the homes will be well managed. This is where the difficulty lies from my point of view in relation to the two schemes proposed for the city. I will leave the issue of competitive dialogue for a response by the representative of Cork City Council. The aforementioned is the manner in which Dublin City Council is rolling out its housing land initiatives and competitive dialogue process.

On the issues raised by Deputy Cowen in relation to rapid build homes, primarily what is required is scale. We must send out the message to the industry in this country that we are behind the rapid build process and that scale is required. Irish manufacturers and Irish designers are leading manufacturers in the UK in terms of the provision of rapid build for both volumetric and standard build homes. The largest development is in Birmingham. Most of the designers involved in this area are Irish. We have had conversations with manufacturers and providers who are capable of providing 1,000 units. We have also had conversations on this issue with our colleagues in Fingal County Council. These manufacturers can erect the factories needed to build and provide these homes quickly and thus create employment, but they need a commitment on scale.

In this regard, we need "buy-in". There is a need for an understanding of what the local authorities require from the industry. While previously these houses were termed "modular homes" and "prefabricated homes", that is no longer the case. As rightly said by Deputy Ellis, they are houses which comply with all building regulations and current building standards. What is needed is a little bit of tweaking in the context of procurement and some tidying up in terms of fast-tracking connections by utility companies. This is very important. I would suggest that these are important steps in the context of moving ahead with a full scale programme of rapid build homes.

An affordable home scheme, or a "starter home scheme", as it is known in the city, is vital. A number of reports have identified that there are a number of people between the ages of 28 and 38 who want to move from private rented accommodation to a permanent home. Dublin City Council, in conjunction with our colleagues in the Dublin region, are working on a model in respect of which we hope to bring a proposal to the Department by the end of this month. We are keen to ensure an affordable-starter home scheme is put in place.