Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his attendance. Senator Higgins covered some of the topics I wished to address, such as new builds by the State and State-provided housing, so I will address the issue of the private sector. I refer to the construction sector currently and the kinds of housing that are being made available on the market. Obviously, the requirement for appropriate housing does not just impact persons in supported housing; it impacts on the wider building stock. Many families would benefit from having greater choice, to which the Minister of State referred. Older people in particular would benefit from universal design.

We know that people with disabilities are more likely to experience poverty and are vulnerable to difficulties in securing housing. The reality is that many people with disabilities will use the housing assistance payment, HAP, to house themselves. In that context, I refer to build-to-rent units. Obviously, construction has been somewhat disrupted in 2020 and 2021. However, in 2019 turnover in the build-to-rent sector more than doubled, to €2.54 billion, as institutional investors came into Ireland and swamped the market. It is a highly profitable housing model. Sales of build-to-rent units in 2019 comprised nearly 3,000 homes, while the total number of units that were in train or of which construction had begun was in excess of 6,500.

Build-to-rent units represent a significant proportion of our new building stock. For those who are not aware, build-to-rent units have the following exemptions: there are no restrictions on dwelling mix; there is significant flexibility on the minimum storage standards and private amenity requirements; there is a default minimum or significantly reduced car parking provision; the requirement that all apartments in a proposed scheme exceed the minimum floor area standards by a minimum of 10% does not apply to build-to-rent schemes, so all the units can be the minimum space requirement, and is 37 sq. m for studio apartments, which is significantly lower than in 2014; and the requirement for a maximum of 12 apartments per floor, per stair core and lift, does not apply.

Build-to-rent typologies and building units do not necessarily represent high-quality building standards and they do not represent spacious building standards or universal design. As BTR housing is exempt from the standard requirements for storage and public amenities, all BTR developers must provide is evidence the proposed facilities are appropriate to the intended rental market. I take it that the intended rental market includes people with disabilities. My understanding of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is that we include people with disabilities.

Local authorities have a role to play here but the majority of BTRs are constructed under the sustainable housing development, SHD, scheme and are controlled by the Department. Does the Department believe build-to-rent provides appropriate housing choice to persons with disabilities? Does the Department take the view the planning guidance on build-to-rent is in compliance with the spirit or technical requirements of the UNCRPD?

Can the Minister of State outline the evidence the Department requires from developers in producing applications for permission to build-to-rent in relation to the suitability of the design for persons with disabilities? Does the Department provide guidance to developers or local authorities on build-to-rent specifically in relation to the provision of housing for people with disabilities?