Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not fully subscribe to the amendment as put forward. There has been spin in respect of the scheme and this is part of it. The scheme covers 100% of the cost. It was a big step to get the Minister to allow downsizing. Many applicants want to downsize and it is good that they are allowed to do so under the Bill. I refer to what I said earlier, however, in respect of whether a planning exemption exists for those on the same footprint. Those who are downsizing need to know whether the exemption applying to those rebuilding will also apply to them if they downsize.