Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have two and a half minutes and I would like to get an answer on this if I can, please. With regard to the 2021 statutory regulation whereby "housing construction and completion works ongoing on the 8th day of January 2021, where such works are scheduled to be completed by 31st day of January 2021 and will render the home under construction capable of occupation by that date", we have big problems. The regulations provide that: "Essential works on vacant residential properties, owned or controlled by a local authority" can be carried out until "28th day of February 2021". I have people in rental accommodation who are two weeks away from finishing their houses. They are waiting on windows for places that are being renovated so they can finish their houses. The local authority can do it up until 28 February but anyone with a one-off house is paying rent and paying a mortgage, yet they cannot do it. We have been talking about social housing and yet we have people that want to get into their houses. We need this statutory regulation changed and to bring in guidelines for the local authorities as well.

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