Pat Casey (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Boyhan will remember the previous time the housing committee prepared a detailed report on the complexities of applying universal design across all housing. It would not be practical at the end of the day. We always felt there was an element when designing a complex of housing where a number of units would be designed with universal design in mind so they are protected for people for the long-term future. However, having universal design across all housing is not practically possible. If we were to do so, it would increase the cost of housing substantially. I believe the report indicated it could increase the costs by 7% to 8% per housing unit. I understand the concept the Senator is proposing, but it would not be practical to apply it across all housing. However, we need to consider universal design as a proportion of all housing being built.