John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister, the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, and the officials for taking on board the suggestions on the class 12 and the pubs. It shows what happens when something is identified on the ground, as was the case here. A vacant, derelict pub in Waterford city was being converted into eight residential units under the repair and lease scheme for housing purposes and they were caught in planning for nearly 13 months. It could have been done under regulations if they were in existence. It was fed up through the chain and the Oireachtas committee and now regulations are being introduced to address that. It shows the system can and does work. The Minister needs to be acknowledged for taking on board the suggestions. Having them in place would have caused unnecessary confusion between the planners and the owners of the building and there was no reason to have them in place when they are not in place for class 1, 2, 3 or 6 premises.

Will the Minister address the type of affordable rental scheme that could expand on the repair and lease scheme? There is capacity to deliver more units over and above social leases, particularly in Waterford where we have done so many on the same street. It is to create a tenure mix using the model that is there for the repair and lease. Does the Minister have a thought on that?