Frank O'Rourke (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I take the opportunity in the short time available to me to commend Deputies Barry Cowen and Pat Casey for bringing forward this Bill. It is very important that we use a collaborative and partnership approach to deliver the units needed for the many who are homeless and in a bad way. In my constituency of Kildare North the housing crisis is at a significantly bad level, with up to 8,000 people on housing lists and many sleeping in temporary accommodation. As my colleagues stated, the current problem in many villages and towns is that the units over commercial buildings remain empty. The business and property owners who come to me in my constituency on a regular basis say it is too difficult to transform the buildings into living accommodation, something they would be more than willing to do. The proposed process would definitely fast-track such action, as the current planning process can take up to five or six months to complete, which is way too long. We need to be proactive if we are serious about delivering on this issue and making a meaningful change. We must stop talking and start to deliver, particularly for the families which need accommodation so badly.

A partnership and collaborative approach, taken in a meaningful way that would not compromise planning guidelines, best practice or specifications and standards, must be commended. This should be positively supported and needs to be proactively put in place. It would make a massive difference not alone to those who need to access these homes and properties but also to the main streets of towns and villages, on which the vacant units are evident. I support the Bill and acknowledge the good work done by my colleagues.

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