Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I acknowledge and compliment Senator Duffy in regard to this important debate. It will present an opportunity when the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, appears before the Seanad. We support all the ambitions to tackle the scourge of dereliction and vacancy. While I understand the call to include more towns outside the specific growth areas contained within the national planning framework, at present the scope is very much guided by the national development plan, NDP. The recent initiatives, such as removing age restrictions on converting commercial properties for residential use, and updating the qualifying age for older buildings from 1915 to 1975, will be important. Many people will understand the challenges for developers in converting over-the-shop residential units and the associated costs. Anything that can be used as a lever is important.

This initiative complements the urban regeneration and development fund, URDF. In the Senator's town, Ballina, we have seen a huge regeneration project around the old military barracks. This was opened last year. In Castlebar, we had URDF funding for the old post office, the Imperial Hotel and the military barracks. In time, we would like to see the living city initiative complement this and be expanded further. We need more initiatives under URDF calls 4 and 5 to support local authorities in bringing old buildings back into use. Again, I compliment Senator Duffy on his raising of this matter.