Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)

On Senator Colm Burke's suggestion regarding the German model, the Department will consider any model available. In some ways, it connects with the point made by Senator Michael Comiskey about making available the houses in the possession of NAMA to young people. I am not familiar with that German scheme, but I am certainly here to listen and take back Members' suggestions to the Department. While I may not be able to state definitively that it will implement any particular measure, it will examine them to ascertain whether their implementation is possible.

As for the suggestion on downsizing in respect of people living in four-bedroom houses, this also relates to Senator Aideen Hayden's idea of subdividing. This pertains to the phenomenon, whereby in some cases, properties are too big for the families living in them. Again, the Department will consider all of these suggestions. However, it must also consider their cost because it must give priority to areas of greatest need. For example, I do not know how much it would cost to subdivide. I presume Senator Colm Burke was referring to tenants in the case he raised.