Cuckoo fund legislation
Deputy Byrne asked the Minister to support legislation to curb cuckoo funds and protect first-time buyers. The Minister said he could not support the Bill because he believed it weakened social housing obligations and would not improve affordability.
This morning, we learned that another development close to my constituency has been bought by a cuckoo fund. If this continues, as it has been continuing, it will mean that first-time buyers from my constituency and other areas will not be able to buy a home. Will the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government confirm to the Dáil his support for Deputy Darragh O'Brien's legislation in respect of cuckoo funds? When does the Government propose to provide time to allow that legislation be passed as urgently as possible to ensure that young first-time buyers have a chance in the housing market?
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I cannot support that Bill because it is bad legislation. First, it removes the social housing obligation from private developers-----
Comment on this
-----which is a disgrace, and in doing so it further incentivises build-to-rent housing, which is the opposite of what the Deputy intends the Bill to do. We cannot support that Bill. It will do nothing for affordability.