Ms Moira Murrell:

In Kerry we have strong, high targets. Our target to the end of the period is 1,780 units, of which 840 are build, 310 are turnkey, 360 are acquisitions and 270 are lease. They are strong targets and when we look at authorities in Cork, Dublin and Kildare, we see we have the highest targets in the country. We certainly have a significant focus on achieving those targets. With regard to land and social housing, we are building on every piece of land we can to achieve the targets, as well as actively acquiring land to build for our purposes.

With regard to affordability, Kerry is different from Louth in that there is the tourism factor. With 2 million visitors to the county each year, the short-term lets and the Airbnb factor are strong in the competition between residential and tourism. The change in policy will impact on Kerry. Separately, we have seen some green shoots in the private market in parts of the county but there is little activity in other parts of the county. Through our strong programme, the council will be the one developing houses in many areas across the county. From meetings with the CIF in the county, we find that, as in Louth, it is cheaper to buy a property than it is to build one in parts of the county.

The matter of procurement was raised. When looking at how to deliver in this regard, procurement is a vital part of any process, and there is also the rural factor. Kerry County Council has built 65 local authority houses directly this year. These have been small schemes of some 20 units and our programme has few large schemes because that is the type of county it is. I take the point on regional procurement but it is important for our local labour market to have local procurement. Having the skills and the contractors locally to deliver at a time we need them is important.

There is an increase in homelessness, with 131 adults and 63 dependents now homeless. We do not have rough sleepers in the county. While we are dealing with the situation, it is certainly something which has increased in the county.

We are working very closely on a cross-agency basis. The wraparound services are strong and working well in the county. We have seen an increase in resources recently, which is welcome. We have had approval from the Department to use our resources for HAP placements, as has the HSE.

The HAP has been important for us in placing people. With the HAP placement officer, we will continue to see that activity even within a shrinking market of available properties. It will be important for us. The strong housing programme should create some space within the private market in respect of homelessness and we are also in discussions with the Department about the creation of additional family hub facilities in the county.