Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have spoken to the Minister and told him that I welcome the return of the requirement for 10% of homes in new estates to be sold as affordable housing. It is a measure that should never have been dropped. It should have been continued. It is a sustainable model. It goes without saying that it is highly important that towns and villages be rejuvenated but I ask that this be done in a sustainable way. The density guidelines currently in operation outside of Dublin are not sustainable. If the densities are in the mid-30s, we are looking at large apartment blocks. That is not sustainable in towns, villages and even in suburban areas outside of Dublin. Young people want to be able to buy starter homes. Apartments are needed but we must have an integrated model. It is something at which the Minister of State might look at in the context of this and the whole issue of building outside Dublin.

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