Mr. Frank Curran:

I also think there should be some flexibility. The method of calculation is not complicated and includes looking at future household formations, future population trends, market conditions, income projections, housing needs assessments and at housing provided by the local authorities themselves. Each area can come up with a particular percentage based on that data. We came up with 12.5%, while in Cork, the authorities came up with 14%. We too had a 0% requirement for affordable housing because house prices in Leitrim are so low at the moment that people will either require social housing or they will be able to purchase a property. However, that might change in the future so the Bill is quite prescriptive in that sense. We also feel that the nine houses figure is too high.

This is because in a place like County Leitrim, the majority of housing developments in the future will be small and consequently, in our opinion this number should be lower and the other percentage should be higher.