Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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218. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the proposed timeline going forward for the proposed referendum on housing to take place given the closure of the public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44560/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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In line with commitments in the Programme for Government and Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland, the Housing Commission was established by Government in December 2021 to independently examine and review the housing system in Ireland. The Commission’s Terms of Reference cover a wide range of issues connected to housing, one of which is to consider the complex constitutional issues arising in this area and to propose appropriate wording for a referendum on housing.

As part this process the Commission held a dedicated Conference in May 2022 and launched a public consultation on the 1st of July, which concluded on Friday 02 September. The purpose of the consultation was to encourage as many people as possible to have their say in respect of a referendum on housing in Ireland. More than 2,000 submission have been received and the Commission is pleased that there has been a broad response from members of the public, tenants, landlords, public representatives, organisations involved in housing, the charity sector, the community & voluntary sector, people working in related policy and legal areas and elsewhere. The majority of submissions received came from the general public and reflect a range of disparate views which will greatly assist the Commission in its task of providing independent advice to the government on a potential constitutional amendment. The submissions are currently being processed and will then be analysed to inform the Commission’s deliberations on a proposed wording for a referendum. The submissions will provide invaluable input from the public and stakeholders to assist the Commission in its task of providing independent advice to the government.

The proposed timeline for a referendum on housing will be a matter for Government to consider following receipt of the proposed wording from the Commission.