Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. The last time I spoke to him about housing was on 2 March when we were debating the introduction of a pilot scheme for affordable housing on the Irish Glass Bottle site. The Minister of State may remember the Commencement matter that we discussed. On that occasion I asked the Minister of State for a pilot scheme and he responded that there was no need because work was well under way for a national scheme. I read last week in The Irish Timesthat up to 1,600 social units in Dublin city, in O'Devaney Gardens and St. Michael's Estate, for example, will be delayed because of the lack of legislation around affordable housing. The article also mentioned the possibility of delaying progress on the 3,500 home development on the Irish Glass Bottle site for the same reason.

I find it very unfortunate that we are not seeing any emergency legislation being rushed through the House today to ensure these developments go ahead that will give affordable housing and affordable rental accommodation to people in this city. Where is that legislation? When will we see it rushed through this House? We are talking about legislation that would help real people with real jobs get real homes. Today we are seeing what is by and large rushed legislation for approximately 1,500 units. There is a supply issue throughout the country and I have no intention of blocking this Bill. The last time I heard language like "substantially commenced", however, was when the former Minister and Deputy, Martin Cullen, was bringing legislation through both Houses during the boom that prevented the delivery of the 20% quota for social and affordable housing. What he did on that occasion was to give exemptions to planned developments throughout the country that had substantially commenced without defining what that meant. My challenge to the Minister of State is to define what he means by "substantially commenced". Does it mean a hole in the ground? Does it mean that foundations have been laid or that the outer walls have been built or that the roof is on? Can we have a definition of "substantially commenced".

The Minister of State might also clarify what he means by something being an extension to planning permission. If developments are given planning permission without meeting the 10% social quota, can they then carry to on to completion without meeting this provision at all? Is this covered in the Bill? I can see that the departmental officials are quickly checking that. Is there any control over whether planning applications include infrastructure for storage and water? Are there safeguards to make the local authorities ensure this infrastructure is in place? What level of building quality will stipulated? Health and safety has to be a concern for every Member of this House and building standards have changed over this period. What regulation standards will these "substantially commenced" buildings be subject to?

Returning to my first point, I would like to know more about the 1,600 units on Dublin City Council land that are delayed because of the lack of the required legislation. Do we have to wait for October, November or December to see progress on this? Will this ultimately delay the Irish Glass Bottle site, which could potentially deliver up to 3,500 units? The Minister of State tells us that this particular Bill, which may deliver up to 1,500 units, is urgent. Where is his sense of urgency with regard to the larger sites I mention? Some clarity would certainly be helpful here.