Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I would have to get the Deputy a detailed building-by-building breakdown, but my understanding is the ones assessed to be uninhabitable are deemed so because there is a very significant requirement of work to bring them into any sort of line with modern building regulations, rather than it being more preferential to have something laid out in a different way. I am happy to get the Deputy more information on it but we have commissioned consultants to assess the condition of the housing stock and identify what might be suitable for conversion or refurbishment versus what does not make sense to work on from a value-for-money point of view.

The Deputy's point about those who previously served is a good one. He will be familiar with the work of ONE. I think it has housing facilities in his county. It is eager to do more and I think to do more in Cork. I am happy to work with the Deputy on that. I am very impressed on the return on investment, to be blunt. I do not mean that in terms of money but the success ONE has in people transitioning from its accommodation into housing and into a stable life, quite frankly, after some very difficult circumstances. There is definitely room to do more work with that organisation and we are in active discussion with it on that.

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