Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for coming before us. What is the best way to encourage the return of the private sector to the construction area? For example, are there builders available now who can be employed directly by the local authorities, on a contract basis, to build houses? I emphasise that this refers to direct build by the local authorities through the private sector. We have done this before on many occasions. To what extent do the witnesses think there are sites available, serviced or serviceable, within the areas most affected for those already homeless and those who will be homeless as various properties are sold or repossessed? How long do they think it would take to start providing modular housing? What provisions are necessary for that?

There have been discussions from time to time about the extent to which procurement impedes the speedy provision of housing. What, if anything, needs to be changed about procurement? How long do the witnesses think they would require to address the emergency in the greater Dublin area, adjoining counties or other counties if the money were available tomorrow morning, which it will be? How long before there would be houses ready for people to move into?