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

I thank the Minister of State. I welcome some of the issues he detailed. I am aware of the report that was commissioned by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage which found that construction costs in Dublin were significantly higher - between 15% and 30% higher - than other European cities. When the report was examined, labour costs and also additional specifications were key factors in that difference. I note that those cities that had specifications similar to the Irish standard came in at about the same figure. Still, we are effectively imposing additional specifications on building standards for good environmental and sustainable reasons.

They are having a significant impact, however, on the cost individuals have to pay in rent or purchase price. The Department needs to continually review the costs contributing to the cost of housing and reduce them where possible.

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