asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider (a) increasing the density of houses permissible per acre in the main towns and cities, and (b) giving extra aid to builders and purchasers of flats until the financial crisis in the building industry has been overcome, as these measures would decrease the price of houses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housebuilding Density.
35.
Housing standards, including building densities, are under general review in my Department at present.
As regards the second part of the question, I am not satisfied that extra aid to builders and providers of flats would be a significant factor in bringing about a reduction in the price of houses.
Does the Minister not agree that if there was greater density, particularly in the city of Dublin, the cost per house per acre would drop immediately? Instead of having six to ten houses per acre, which is the normal thing, he would get up to 14 houses per acre, which would reduce the overall cost per house.
I do not dispute the assertion of the Deputy but it is only one of the factors that go into the cost of a house. While we could increase the density on particular sites it does not follow that we would not have to provide an open space elsewhere to cater for those who live there, and the overall saving would not be as great as might first appear. However, we are going into the density and general building regulations at the moment and we hope to deal with this in a comprehensive way in the near future.