John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday saw some positive figures on the number of commercial properties converted to residential use under the planning exemptions introduced in 2018 by the then Minister of State, Deputy English. There were 665 units in total. That includes 53 former pubs, the conversion of which has resulted in 169 housing units between quarter 2 and quarter 4 of last year when those exemptions were extended to include former pubs. This is something I brought to the attention of both the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, in the previous year because I had seen the difficulties and the amount of time being wasted through the planning process to convert former commercial buildings to residential use. I am thankful to say those changes were made in March of last year.

We will only see the full benefit of those changes when the outturn for 2023 is known this time next year, but it is positive to see that trend continuing from 2021 into 2022. Those two years alone have now accounted for 65% of all the conversions from commercial to residential. It is nothing to be sniffed at. More than 1,300 homes have been delivered through these exemptions in the past two years and it is something we can build upon. I would like to expand on that even further. I ask the Leader if it is possible to organise a debate with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, or the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, in the context of putting forward ideas to further improve on some areas in the housing sector to remove that red tape and make it easier to deliver homes for individuals and families.