Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is a fair point. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in the context of the housing for all strategy, will be making provision for the restoration and the bringing back into use of houses currently idle and vacant in rural areas and in towns. The town centre first policy of the Government's programme will also dovetail with that objective, as well as providing resources to incentivise conversion of over-the-shop premises for accommodation purposes.

Every single avenue to provide additional units of housing must be explored. Those identified by the Deputy are obvious and clear which should be pursued.

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