Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)

On the third question, what the Deputy is referring to is, of course, possible but given the maximum available is up to €300,000 for somebody involved in the construction of a commercial property, I am not sure that is enough money to act as an incentive for that kind of behaviour. That would be my judgment on it. However, I can see the point the Deputy is making and I will certainly keep it in mind because the last thing we are looking to do here is to fund a conversion that somebody is already planning to deliver. We do not want to see that happen. That risk is there but I think it is worth seeing what the broader benefit of this could be regarding all those properties across the different cities, including the five additional cities that will be included within this scheme, that have a retail presence on the ground floor and have floors above them which could be used for a home but which are not being used. I do not think this scheme is all of the answer to it but I think it is going to be part of it.

Regarding the Deputy's second point, I will get a note prepared for him on that to better explain it in advance of Report Stage of the Bill so that I can give a fuller answer to the committee between the difference in terms of the six years and two years. I hope that will give a further answer to the Deputy's question in advance of this coming back to the Dáil.