Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Just over 1,600 homes a year are being built. We must find out from the Department what steps it has taken since it was last before the committee to try to speed it up and whether there is a problem. The Deputy highlighted that there may be an issue, particularly in some local authorities where people are not designated to projects. We are told more funding is available to bring in extra staff such as engineers and technicians to oversee the delivery of certain projects, which needs to happen. Until we put those pieces in place and move to standardised design and standard plans, we will not get the scale of delivery we need. We are in the middle of a housing crisis and there is a significant housing budget, which I think everyone is on board with. I would argue to go even further, as I am sure some other members would as well. We are not seeing delivery on the ground. Processes between the Department and the council must be simplified and focused. We need to house people. This is the level of delivery at a time when there are 12,000 people homeless and 130,000 households in need of social housing, counting those on rent supplement and the waiting list, which is a significant number. If the committee agrees, I request that we write to the Department and ask what steps have been taken in that regard. Is that agreed? Agreed. We will include Deputy Burke's point about local authorities because there may be issues in some of them. They may be short-staffed or do not have the staff they need to oversee and sign off on these projects.

No. R1867 B is from Mr. Mark Griffin, Secretary General, Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, dated 28 April 2023, providing information requested by the committee regarding Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI. It is proposed to note and publish this item of correspondence. Is that agreed? Agreed. This item provides information relating to a request from Deputy Catherine Murphy, No. R1865 PAC33, which seeks an update on when IFI's 2021 accounts will be available for the committee to examine. Deputy Murphy has requested that the committee dispose of this item in her absence. I propose we note this item. Is that agreed? Agreed. According to No. R1867, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications “is preparing a submission for the Minister on the 2021 financial statements and annual report of IFI, which he will bring to Government in the normal way and then arrange to have them laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas”. Does the Comptroller and Auditor General wish to add anything further?