Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

People do not consider getting €350 or the like worth their while in light of all the other obligations that go along with renting a house.

If we want to be serious about the issue Mr. Ó hÉallaithe raised and entice people to rent houses to locals, we have to provide the same enticements that are provided to others in respect of people coming from another country. I do not like mentioning one country over another, but there is clearly discrimination. I have asked at least twice in the Chamber that this issue be addressed and for people who want to rent to locals to be given that tax boost, thereby allowing them to earn €800 tax free per month. That would free up many houses.

Planning is a serious issue. Wherever someone is, he or she cannot get planning permission unless he or she is a family member who has been farming. The Planning Regulator’s direct boss is the Minister, Deputy Ryan - at least, that is my understanding of it - and the Minister is dictating the terms.

That is why so many of our lovely young people are having to leave these shores in droves. It is as bad as ever it was in the 1950s and early 1960s when my uncles and aunts had to leave. It was for the same reason where they could not see that they could own or have a house. That is why so many of these young people are leaving. The quicker this Government realises what is happening, the better. The Government is saying that our population is increasing but our own local people are leaving. It is easy to add or subtract how the population is growing here but one thing to be sure of is that our own people are going in droves and that needs to be addressed. I know that it is the same in the Gaeltacht areas and back in Dingle, in the Iveragh Peninsula and in Cahirsiveen. This area is becoming completely desolated. I thank the witnesses for coming in. I am sorry for going on a bit and I thank the Chairman but I feel very strongly about the issue.