Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I know the Minister is sending money to local authorities for plans. There are many plans and not much action, which I know frustrates the Minister. We have all these empty spaces, even in towns and cities that are relatively healthy. As Deputy Connolly spoke, I thought of Galway. There is a lot of space above retail units that previously contained homes. With a little thinking outside the box, they could be homes again, especially considering the pressure that local authorities are under, and offered as options to older people to live in towns and closer to services. Fewer plans and more action might be the best outcome here.

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