Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

An elderly couple came to see me recently with a query about downsizing. Now that their children are grown, they would like to downsize their four bedroom home to a single-storey building. They are getting nowhere, however, with Cork City Council. Does the Minister of State intend to introduce a programme to assist persons in that situation?

I have referred to the German letting model on previous occasions in this House. Under this system, landlords provide only a shell of an apartment and it is for the tenants to install the furnishings and fittings, from carpets to tiling to bathroom fixtures. There are many young people renting in this country who are unable to borrow money to purchase a home but have substantial savings. We need to look at new ideas. A scheme whereby tenants can avail of a ten or even 20 year rental agreement, as in the German model, should be considered. There are advantages for both landlord and tenant in such a system. First, tenants can specify their requirements precisely, thus engendering a greater sense of pride in the property in which they will be living. More importantly, while they must provide the outlay for furnishings and so on, they will secure the property at a much lower rent. The landlord, meanwhile, has a secure leasing arrangement and does not have to worry about wear and tear and the replacement of household items. Will the Minister of State consider introducing such a scheme?