Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I reiterate my support for the recommendations of the Housing Commission report and emphasise the need to act on a macro level. I will outline a few more suggestions I will bring forward in more detail at a later stage. The first is increased penalties for housing not occupied including the right of a local authority to make a compulsory purchase order faster than the current derelict sites process. Allied to this are incentives to allow for the refurbishment of derelict buildings in city centres and rural towns and villages, enhancing the existing Croí Cónaithe scheme. More focus on building in Dublin city centre to revitalise the area with incentives to encourage people to live there. We should plan 20,000 homes in the city centre for three years from now. It would make the area safer and more vibrant. People on housing lists should also be allowed to move to new or refurbished accommodation in areas that need the population in rural towns and villages without losing their place on a Dublin housing list for five years. This will encourage people to try a move and enjoy a better quality of life while also providing the critical population to keep services like post offices and shops open in rural areas. We also need special housing built or purchased for critical workers near their places of employment, with affordable rents to allow them to save for their own homes, for example teachers, nurses, doctors and gardaí. A Dublin allowance is needed. Greater flexibility is also needed to allow families in rural areas to build sustainably on family land or in back gardens in urban areas subject to conditions about renting such properties out for profit. In this way, young couples can more easily save for their own larger home while living in a starter unit that is high quality and meets planning conditions, etc.. This could also become a step-down property for older people whose children and grandchildren may move into the main home. Targeted step-down properties are needed in key locations where there is an older population. There should also be meaningful liaison with charities such as the fantastic The HomeShare to target people who need to rent an affordable room and match them with older people who want companionship and a few hours' work around the home. This is a fantastic service. I recommend the Government engage in a proactive way on this.

It is a long debate; I would love if I had two hours to talk on these issues, which I why I focused on a few suggestions to be constructive. I reiterate that mandatory tie-in of housing and construction with infrastructure and amenities is required. We need to build communities, not just housing. That has failed in areas like Clonburris. It needs to be improved.

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