Mr. Richard Keating:

Senator Keane raised the issue of valuations and referred to Mr. Justice Clarke's ruling in a judicial review many years ago. This ruling brought clarity to existing use values and development values, as well as the dates to which they would be applied. We are concerned that the Bill as it is currently proposed does not take existing buildings into consideration for arriving at existing use values. Does this mean the property would be treated as a greenfield or brownfield site as if the buildings did not exist? The benefit of Part V depends on the difference between the existing use value and the development value. In the interest of local authorities, the lower the value for the existing use value, the greater the benefits from the whole operation. This needs to be clarified because it could give rise to disputes in the future.

In regard to Deputy Stanley's question on grouping, the practice in Cork County Council has always been to cluster social housing in large developments. If we were taking 20 units, for example, we would take five in each of four different areas.

If we were taking 20 units, for example, we might take five together in four different areas so that there is integration and completeness and they can be managed by the Housing Authority. This is our recommendation.