John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. We all know that this is about speed of delivery and removing roadblocks. In my experience of dealing with this scheme, particularly the repair and leasing scheme, this is one such roadblock. Former public houses in Waterford city have been transformed and they have people currently living in them. It is a great success so I ask the Minister of State when those regulations are being revised not to set any sort of onerous threshold on people being able to bring former pubs back into use for residential use. We all know that there are former pubs in every town, village and city , many of which are derelict and are a blot on the landscape of an area. I cannot think of any better use if those buildings could be utilised for housing purposes at this time of housing need. I ask the Minister of State to expedite this matter, as I know he is committed to doing so, and I hope that the regulations will allow for the liberal use of the exemptions. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach.