Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes, that is the intention. There is no downsizing penalty. The scheme is fair and appropriate. Fundamentally, we are doing this because we want to help people to rebuild their homes and get their lives back on track. We need to be honest with people. This scheme will work. It will probably cost at least €2.7 billion of Exchequer funding, and rightly so.All of the people affected are taxpayers too. We have to be able to manage a scheme that is workable. All of the replacement costs have been set independently of me and the Department. This would create a series of difficulties. It would create a two-tier system within each category of homes. From my interaction it is a small portion of people who are looking at this option. If someone wants to downsize, of course they can do so. They will not be penalised. Their home will be replaced and they will have a home at the size they want and the State will pay for it. There is no penalty there. I cannot accept the amendment.