Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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1080. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will revise guidelines in relation to co-living and ensure that these kind of developments will not be allowed in view of the fact that Covid-19 has highlighted the dangers of overcrowded living conditions and the role congregated living plays in transmission of diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8273/20]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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In 2018, I published updated Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities, as Ministerial Guidance under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), following an extensive public consultation process.

The updated guidelines set out policy in relation to a range of apartment formats needed to meet the accommodation needs of different household types and sizes. This includes the potential for a ‘Shared Accommodation’ or ‘Co-Living’ format. This format comprises professionally managed rental accommodation, where living accommodation, that may comprise individual rooms, is rented within an overall development, that must also include access to shared or communal facilities and amenities, but not shared bathroom or toilet facilities. To end Q1 2020, 294 co-living bedspaces have been approved by An Bord Pleanála under the strategic housing development application process since the guidelines came into force in 2018. In comparison, there were more than 60,000 homes permitted, none of which were co-living bedspaces, from when the guidelines were published to the end of 2019 alone.

Shared accommodation is one of a number of residential settings that include hotels, hostels, residential institutions and student accommodation, where residential occupation comprises more than one household. Although such accommodation formats are not as prevalent as individual houses or apartments, they nonetheless play an important role in catering for the diverse needs of the overall population. There are currently no plans to review any of these formats in light of the COVID-19 pandemic but my Department will continue to monitor existing policy measures and activities, having regard to the most up to date Government public health advice and guidance, as the response to the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1081. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if tourist travel to the offshore islands may be considered under phase 4 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business (details supplied). [7087/20]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1084. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason non-resident tourist travel to offshore islands can only resume in phase 5 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business while tourism activities in the rest of the country with appropriate restrictions are being facilitated in phase 4; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7049/20]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1081 and 1084 together.

In response to the Taoiseach’s announcement on 27 March 2020, as well as to requests from island communities to limit travel to island residents only in order to keep the islands COVID free, my Department has worked closely with island representative groups and ferry operators in order to implement reduced ferry schedules serving the islands on a temporary basis. This was done to properly protect both island communities and those working on their life-line transport services during the current pandemic.

These services will be fully restored in due course in accordance with best practice, following consultation with island communities and the relevant health authorities.

While Government recognises the importance of tourism to the economy of the islands, the well being of island residents must be given priority at this time. Notwithstanding this, if a reasonable request to reopen the islands earlier than Stage 5 of the National Plan were to come from the island communities through their representative body, I would be willing to bring same to the appropriate authorities for consideration.