Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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574. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the estimates of the reduction in the private housing stock in Dublin, as a result of the introduction of new apartment size regulations, which affect bedsits in particular, the amount of funding he has provided to all Dublin local authorities for refurbishing and regenerating bedsit accommodation, the eligibility criteria for this Scheme and the criteria in deciding which units are eligible for refurbishment. [44954/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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There will be no adverse implications for the quantum of private housing stock in Dublin as a result of the introduction of updated planning guidelines on apartment developments, because these guidelines will apply only to new build projects going through the planning process.

The updated guidelines I propose to publish shortly are intended to address difficulties in the construction of new apartments in Dublin, from an economic viability perspective, taking account of the fact that different local authorities in and around the city have different standards which are increasing cost for delivery and future maintenance.

In relation to funding my Department has provided to refurbish certain social housing bedsit units, this was first provided under the job stimulus package approved by Government in 2014. An allocation of €5 million was made available to Dublin City Council to convert a number of old bedsit social housing units into social housing apartments. This funding was available for those bedsit units that the City Council prioritised; it was a matter for the Council to select the units to be upgraded. To date, the Council has converted 42 bedsits into apartments.