Sinn Féin intends to prohibit coexistence with a new bill

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The controversial cohabitation accommodation could be banned under a new proposal put forward by Sinn Féin.

The party’s housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin, will use the time of private party members on Tuesday to introduce the bill to remove the law that allows ministers to alter planning laws without a vote from Oireachtas, and removes of the construction standards the coexistence and construction guidelines for rent.

Cohabitation developments see dormitories, often the size of a handicap parking lot, built for singles with shared kitchens and living spaces.

The Ministerial Power (Repeal) Bill (Prohibit Coexistence and Build to Rent) amends the Planning and Development Act of 2000 and repeals the Build to Rent and Shared Accommodation sections of Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments.

Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Housing Eoin O Broin TD. Image: Gareth Chaney / Collins
Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Housing Eoin O Broin TD. Image: Gareth Chaney / Collins

“All apartments must be built to a standard,” Ó Broin said.

“No one deserves to live in a gentrified coworking space, 12 square meters of personal living space.

The idea that if someone is a tenant they should live in a smaller apartment or have less parking, sunlight, or storage, doesn’t make sense.

“If we want people to rent long-term, we have to make sure that people have the same standard as people who buy apartments.

“Both Fianna Fáil and the Green Party were against these planning rules; it will be interesting to see how they vote tomorrow.”

The current Housing Minister, Darragh O’Brien, called the coexistence “crazy” when he was in the opposition, but has not yet banned the practice. Instead, it announced a review to ensure that any ban “would not affect student accommodation.”

“Once the minister announced a review, we saw an increase in the number of planning requests that have been submitted to the local authorities, and now they are trying to include them all sooner,” Ó Broin said.

Some are terrifying, 40 people share a kitchen and note that co-living apps also contain coworking spaces – not according to public health guidelines

Design standards in force since 2015 provide for studio apartments, and Sinn Féin says this would not put single people at a disadvantage if cohabitation were prohibited.



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