Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 16 October 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government

General Scheme of the Land Development Agency Bill 2019: Discussion (Resumed)

Mr. James Benson:

Yes. If that is done early, at the design stage, it can allow refurbishment or extension to be carried out at a less prohibitive or a lower cost at a later stage. Again, the early involvement of the professional bodies and ourselves with the LDA at design stage will be key in that regard. It is part of the conversation when considering the warnings about our ageing population. A very large cohort is in rental accommodation. What will happen to these people when they are out of work or about to retire? They will no longer be in a position to afford rent. In light of the existing affordability gaps, we are not in a position to get such people a mortgage to get them on the property ladder. That reality will become stark in the coming years. Those who are currently renting will not be able to afford rent-----

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