Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his kind words. Solving the housing crisis is our number one priority. The work the Government and the Minister of State do, and which all of us can do to support the Government to achieve that outcome, is a privilege for us.

I acknowledge in the Minister of State's reply the fact that the croí cónaithe grant can be used in combination with the SEAI grants. In providing both grants combined, this can provide up to and in excess of €100,000 to convert vacant properties into liveable homes. That is really welcome and this is why it has been successful.

I acknowledge the response from the Department on the staged payments. It would represent an additional burden on local authorities' vacant housing officers and housing officers if there were to be staged payments. I accept that as a legitimate explanation for staying with the one-stage payment.

I also acknowledge the amendment that was made to the local authority home loan. In essence this meets the need of people on low incomes who are unable to secure a mortgage from a commercial bank for a mortgage to combine it with the vacant property grant. The combination of both is very powerful in enabling low-income people to buy vacant properties, combine it with the vacant property grant as an extension of their mortgage and turn it into a liveable home. That is all very welcome.

I must acknowledge the repair and lease scheme as well. The Minister of State is correct that it is an interest-free €80,000 loan and there is no limit on the number of properties as there is in the case of the vacant property grant. On top of that, companies can apply for the repair and lease whereas it is an individual in the case of the vacant and derelict property grants and they are limited to two properties.

I acknowledge all of that. It is all powerful and positive interventions by the Government to turn vacant properties into liveable homes. I urge the Minister of State to go back to the Department and to work with the Department to fulfil on the commitment we made to introduce the over-the-shop grant. I believe the €100,000 grant will go a long way to accelerating the conversion of over-the-shop spaces into liveable homes. There is an additional cost for compliance with building regulations and fire safety when doing an over-the-shop conversion. This merits the additional increase in the grant to €100,000.