Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. There were eight pages in his statement and I will take the points raised in order. I thank the Minister and his staff for their attendance. I particularly welcome Mr. Paul Lemass. He will be a fantastic addition to the Minister's team.

The Minister stated he has commenced the relevant provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, the effect of which is to place the new scheme of affordable purchasing on a statutory basis. Can the Minister confirm the exact date when the associated regulations and guidance will be issued to each of the 31 local authorities?

In December, the Minister approved funding of €43 million for the serviced sites fund and has told us today this will enable delivery of 1,400 affordable homes on local authority lands in Dublin and Cork, as well as 700 social homes. Will the Minister give a commitment on when the infrastructural works will commence and the date on which these affordable homes will be complete? When will the Minister issue a second call for proposals for the serviced sites fund?

The Minister mentioned his commitment to the introduction of a not-for-profit cost rental sector in Ireland. Will the Minister elaborate on the current status on advancing the Enniskerry Road scheme? I am blue in the face hearing about Enniskerry Road in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. What exactly is happening there? When will we see houses built there? We have been speaking about this for three years and, from what I can see, nothing is happening. I went there yesterday to look. The Minister also might elaborate on the St. Michael's Estate project.

The Minister mentioned the vacant home officers of the 31 local authorities. Having spoken to some of the local authorities, I am not convinced they really know their functions. At some stage in the coming week, will the Minister provide us with a list of the 31 officers?

The Minister spoke about the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill. We must be realistic. I will raise this in the Seanad today. In the Seanad we are being told we have no business but the Minister can initiate legislation in the Seanad. That is an option for the Minister. There seems to be a reluctance on the part of Ministers to initiate legislation in the Seanad. Perhaps it is an option when we see the schedule in the Seanad. Will the Minister provide information on a timeline for the legislation on the Land Development Agency?

I do not expect the Minister to answer all of these questions now and he may come back to me. With regard to the Rebuilding Ireland home loan, yesterday people woke up to hear on "Morning Ireland" about what appears to be a crisis of funding for this initiative. These are people who are barely over the threshold. They get up very early in the morning and they work all day. They want to provide housing for themselves. Perhaps there was a deficit of information on "Morning Ireland" and the Minister can enlighten us. Will all of the loans be approved? Can we give hope to people? It is their last and only hope to provide a home from themselves. I would have thought the Minister was hot and strong on this particular issue and I am interested to hear what he will say on it.

For months, I have been asking about a local authority land inventory. Will the Minister elaborate on this? What is the current position with regard to progress on the national affordable housing scheme?

The Minister mentioned the Dundrum Central Mental Hospital twice and spoke about the need for a master plan. Will the Minister tell us about this? What is happening out in Shanganagh in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council area? For three years, we have been told houses will be built there. Senator Michael McDowell was the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when it was disposed of to the local authority. We need progress on it.

These are a few questions for the Minister to be going on with it. I appreciate he might not have answers to all of them to hand but in the coming days officials in the Department may be able to give a more detailed response to some of them.