Seanad debates

Monday, 12 July 2021

Affordable Housing Bill 2021: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages

 

9:30 am

Photo of John CumminsJohn Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is a welcome move. It was well flagged in the Minister's Second Stage speech here that it was going to be brought forward as an amendment in the Dáil. I have a slight concern that it may increase the price of houses in the remaining 80% of the development, but I accept that it is one of the quickest mechanisms for the delivery of affordable housing by attaching a 10% affordable housing requirement within a development in addition to the 10% social housing requirement. The fact that it also includes the cost rental is a welcome move. Perhaps the Minister could offer some assurances that the scenario outlined, whereby there is not a demand for that 20%, will not arise particularly often. I cannot really see that happening. There is such a demand out there in terms of both social and affordable housing. Perhaps the Minister could comment on that issue briefly.

I welcome the move. I think it is going to have a big impact in terms of affordable housing provision. I ask the Minister to comment on when it will come into force. Will it come into force when the Bill is signed into law by the President or when the Government issues a commencement notice subsequent to that? When will new planning applications be subject to this additional 10% requirement?

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