Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

1 o’clock

I have no issue with the statutory instruments concerning water and broadband. My concerns are about the draft exempted regulations change of use issue. It is on foot of a Bill that was proposed by us, passed by the House and scrutinised by the committee. It shared the intention of the Minister of State and his Government through this statutory instrument which is to ensure the quicker conversion of vacant units into residential use, especially those that have commercial zoning but are not in use and over-the-shop developments and refurbishments. Currently, such applications are adjudicated on or interpreted by local authorities on foot of the only guidelines that exist which are for new builds. The constraints of such guidelines in the case of refurbishment mean that developments of that nature do not take place. That is in addition to the thrust of our Bill which was agreed with by those of other parties and none. It proposed the putting in place of a one-stop-shop in local authorities whereby the various certifications for fire, health and safety and preservation amongst others would be brought under one roof with a speedier timeline agreed between both parties and certification to follow thereafter during and on completion of the construction. I welcome the Government's commitment to the Bill but on Committee Stage it was nervous that those guidelines had not been put in place. Here we are with a statutory instrument that still does not have those same guidelines in place. Unfortunately, I was not present when the Minister of State brought this to committee on Tuesday. I had a prior commitment at a housing conference hosted by ICTU. Deputy Casey was there. Our party is always represented at committee and it was no different on this occasion. Deputy Casey raised concerns with the Minister of State. I furnished a letter to the Minister yesterday, as soon as I could after realising those difficulties. I have just received that response from the Minister. I do not have sufficient time to peruse it adequately or respond appropriately. When we discussed this issue and many others in committee, including the performance of the Government on Rebuilding Ireland, the Minister of State said his officials are fast approaching providing the necessary guidelines to meet with our requirements. On foot of our commitment, will the Minister of State request the Business Committee to allow time within a few weeks for him to inform the House he is in a position to honour the commitment with those guidelines being updated to meet the demands? That is notwithstanding other issues we have on the lack of proper definitions and the issues Deputy Casey raised the other day. We hope and expect to pursue those if we can with the passage of our Bill which will further assist the sector and the market to respond to the need. That is in addition to the initiatives and financial assistance that can be given in the form of a grant or tax initiatives to bring those void units into use to revitalise and re-energise many towns and villages throughout the country which unfortunately do not have the help and necessary means to do this. Many months ago we proved the Government's effort with the repair and lease scheme was failing, despite the best of intentions. We made recommendations and I acknowledge the Government has now committed to improving them.

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