Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Murphy, is not proposing that the Government will build such developments with taxpayers' money. This is about people having a choice. Developers will build something if there is a need for it. Our planners and our team in the Department engage with their colleagues from jurisdictions all over the world. I remember when when we proposed our original housing plan two years ago, a proposal was made for different types of rental accommodation, including shared accommodation and shared spaces. It is a popular concept. I cannot show the Senator that there is a major demand for it in Dublin, but we will find out if that is the case.

The provision will allow for shared accommodation. We are not making anybody build or live in such accommodation. It will be a choice and if there is demand for it, people will build it. Similarly, if there is no demand for it, it will not be built and people will not have a choice. Senator Humphreys, a former Minister of State and potentially a future Minister, usually understands that people should be able to choose what form of accommodation they want. We accept there is not enough property in the system today and that cost is an issue. Developments of different shapes and sizes will be built in the years ahead and people will be able to choose what accommodation they want. This is a cost-effective solution to provide accommodation for people who want to live in Dublin during the working week and go down the country at the weekends. That is their choice and we are giving them a choice. We are not forcing anybody to live in this type of accommodation. I am surprised the Senator is against the Government allowing for it. This is not being done at the behest of developers who are banging on our door. The idea came from within the Department.