The Last Word with Matt Cooper Push For Older People To Split Homes Into Flats
Nov 17, 2025
Sean O’Neill McPartlin, Director of Housing Policy at Progress Ireland, and Conor Sheehan, TD and Labour housing spokesperson, dive into the contentious proposal for older homeowners to split their houses into flats. They discuss the potential benefits for local density and young renters, while also tackling the regulatory hurdles and costs involved. Sheehan raises concerns about funding and the feasibility of such conversions delivering enough housing. They also explore how this could support older residents and the impact of recent legal challenges on planning rules.
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Densify Where People Already Live
- Subdividing existing homes can add smaller units where people already live and work.
- Sean O’Neill McPartlin argues this leverages local networks and jobs to ease housing access.
Personal Moves Show Local Housing Limits
- Sean recounts moving out of Dublin into Meath and the Midlands and seeing Dublin accents spread in new estates.
- He uses this to illustrate limits on moving within areas people grew up in due to housing shortages.
Make Conversions Compliant And High Quality
- Ensure conversions meet fire, kitchen and facility regulations before approving them.
- Sean O’Neill McPartlin warns these subdivisions must be high quality and compliant.