Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, that would be my view. If we can reach the 25,000 target in terms of delivery in advance of 2020, it will be a huge achievement. If we can go beyond that target, we should aspire to do so.

In response to the question on the number of houses I would like to be built per year for the next ten years in a perfect scenario, I would like between 30,000 and 35,000 per year to be built. However, we are a long way off that. It will take us some time to get there. In the meantime, we need to focus on the people who need houses the most, including the homeless and those on the waiting lists. Therefore, the emphasis must be on social housing provision.