Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I think the bulb blew but the best referee in Croke Park might not see me, I am so far back.

I welcome the publication of the Bill. Previous speakers described it as technical legislation, and in some ways it is, but it underpins the vision for the relocation of the facility. I acknowledge the improvement in services and facilities it will bring about. I also acknowledge the provisions relating to child and adolescent mental health facilities that Deputy Costello mentioned. Anyone who has been to the campus for the Technical University in Grangegorman will have seen how the built heritage of some of these former institutions can be incorporated into a very modern facility.

The second part of the relocation is what is being left behind. In common with others, I am concerned and excited about the opportunities for the site in terms of the provision of housing under the Land Development Agency. I look forward to the legislation underpinning that agency coming before the committee on housing, of which I am a member, because there is an opportunity to embed affordability and the option of affordable housing in a part of the city that desperately needs it. In addition, this can be an example of how we can use these sites across the city to embed that affordability. We have talked a great deal about the social impact of our housing crisis, which is undoubtedly stark and has a great impact on individual's lives. It also impacts on the economic life of the city. Almost three quarters of most multinational companies' budgets are spent on staff salaries. If people should not spend more than one third of their salaries on housing, then, on the basis of one formula, approximately 25% of the cost of doing business in Dublin is connected with housing in the city. The argument for providing affordable housing is as much economic as it is social. There is potential to provide 1,200 homes at the current site in Dundrum in order to help meet the demand. The programme for Government refers to building public housing on public land. I look forward to this being reflected in the details of the scheme, and reflecting a more ambitious target than the figures of 30% or 40% I have seen. Many of those who might benefit could be supported in shared accommodation units provided by the State, as well as in affordable and cost-rental housing. This site offers a unique opportunity to deliver on the second part of the vision relating to this Bill, namely, a really important legacy in the context of the provision of social, cost rental and affordable purchase housing.

The Minister of State has kept me and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, apprised of the developments relating to of the first part of the Bill. I hope the Minister of State and I will work with the Minister in delivering the second part of that project.

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