Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ó Broin for tabling this motion. A few short weeks ago amid the celebrations for the new Taoiseach, the Minister's Government colleague, Eamon Ryan, stated that the Minister had turned around the housing crisis. If by that he meant the Minister had turned it into a complete shambles, he was right. The figures do not lie. House prices are skyrocketing, with the price of new homes up by 9% since last year. Rents are still rising, up 9% for new tenancies and 6% for existing ones. There are missed targets in respect of cost-rental and affordable purchase homes and vacant property refurbishment grants. Homelessness has increased by a staggering 13% in the past 12 months. I could go on and on. Let us not forget the Government's failure to stop vulture funds snapping up almost entire housing estates. Does the Minister remember Belcamp Manor in Dublin 17? The vulture fund that bought those properties is charging rents of up to €3,200 per month for a family home. Imagine paying that. You could not make it up.

So far, the Minister's tenure as housing Minister has been distinguished by his ability to set even worse records on housing than any of his predecessors. In my home town of Monasterevin, which is a small town with little or no work, normal semi-detached houses are being rented for €2,000 per month. There are 30-year-olds and 40-year-olds living in their old boxrooms. I am pretty sure they do not want to be there any more than their parents do, but they have no choice. If they go out to work, they cannot afford to rent if they also have to save for a mortgage.

A few minutes ago, the Minister stated that house building was making a comeback. What a statement to come out with. It is not a fashion parade we are talking about. He also said the tide was turning. He is right, as people are sick of him. It is time for a complete change - a change of Government and a change of housing plans - and Sinn Féin will bring that change.

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