Edward Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Much of small-town Ireland has a shortage of housing yet no house building. House building would provide valuable employment. Currently, it is not viable to build houses as the cost to build exceeds the selling price. This is never mentioned in discussions on housing. However, it means that much of Ireland has no house building and yet there is a demand. We must look at strategies to allow house building in these areas through increased affordable housing, and reduce the cost of building a house, such as through the development levy waiver and other measures.

I also want to mention pubs, coffee shops and small businesses in rural Ireland. These small businesses provide valuable employment and bring life to our rural communities. We need to reduce their cost base as many are not financially viable and will continue to close, resulting in a loss to the community.

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