Mr. James Benson:

I thank the Senator. With regard to some of her points, we are all uncertain as to the make-up of the LDA and how it will be rolled out. If the principles underlying it are to provide increased output, to unlock State lands, and to remove the financial barriers in given regional pockets to facilitate delivery, it would go some way to addressing the issue of homelessness, although it will not be a silver bullet.

On the issue of our ageing population, this one of the points we have made. Early association with the professional bodies and industry will be key for the LDA. When one connects with the demographics of an ageing population, one sees that there is a lot of awareness of what is actually required for that population. Elements of age-friendly construction can be implemented very early in the design stage. Some of the other associations and bodies will be more abreast of these issues than the Irish Home Builders Association. For a relatively low cost at design stage, one can incorporate elements that allow for attic conversions or joists at first-floor level to allow for extensions. If that is done at-----