Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. There is a lot of merit in what he is saying. The Government is endeavouring to develop greater flexibilities for people in rural Ireland in particular. I understand guidelines are under consideration in that respect to enable people to build their own homes. With the vacant grants and the grants to restore derelict houses, we have facilitated quite a number of people in rural Ireland, and young couples in particular, to establish homes. However, I know what the Deputy is saying, in that many people have the wherewithal to build a house. We just need to facilitate and enable them to do that.

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