Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I take the points made on Part V. I believe Part V is a very good model. All this does is provide flexibility under section 219(10), which is the 20%. Section 219(6) on the housing strategy states it shall include an estimate of the housing for the purposes of social housing, affordable housing and cost rental. It allows the flexibility to change the mix within that 20% if desired.

The point I am trying to make in a roundabout way is that when regeneration happened in Limerick, John Fitzgerald was appointed to head up a review. He put forward that the one issue was the scale of the housing estates was too big. Regeneration has reduced the number of houses in these areas. The question is Part V and traditional sources. We have the highest number of builds in decades. They are not mutually exclusive. The Deputy is looking at Part V as just the housing element. I regard it as housing but I also regard it as a social element. I believe that you should not be able to tell the difference between a private or a local authority house. That is a personal view I hold and I feel very strongly about that. Regarding design, it is very basic. It may seem a very simple method. It is a fundamental view I hold. I should not be able to tell whether houses are public, private or otherwise. I do not like polarisation. This is just a personal view I hold. I am going into a personal space now as distinct from a planning space.

Calls have to be made. We have to allow some degree of flexibility. Deputy Ó Broin spoke earlier about a crude instrument. That is why I felt that over the years when Part V was bought out, which the Deputy spoke about, that was not the way to do it. Everyone knows that, with Part V, if a new housing estate is being built, there will be between 10% and 20% social housing in the estate. It works and it is straightforward.

The Deputy spoke about the pepper pot element. That in itself is healthy because it should not be possible to distinguish. It should be that everyone is in an estate, their kids go to the same schools and they are from the same area. That is an old-fashioned model I have. For that to work, there has to be a degree of balance and a practicality.

This section deals with practical decisions that must be made. Ultimately, we want to build many more social houses. We want to see them in all areas and in a way that works. I have seen it on the ground over many years in Limerick.

I will go back to my core view. I should not be able to distinguish between a social house and a private house. Equally, there needs to be a level of flexibility. I understand where the Deputy is coming from but I am not minded to accept the amendment.