Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Fianna Fáil usually gets to go first. This is exciting. I thank the Minister for his comprehensive overview. I welcome all of the investments that have been outlined for these key areas, particularly the €60 million investment in homelessness. Homelessness is a priority for everyone in this room. It is great to see that level of investment in tackling it. I appreciate that everything costs more due to Covid and health and safety and I understand that current expenditure is a priority in homelessness, but is any capital expenditure being allocated to homelessness in the Supplementary Estimates? Two of the priorities outlined by the Minister are delivering the greatest number of new homes for households this year and providing new supply pipelines. How will this funding help to achieve that?

I welcome the rates waiver totalling €900 million, which provides for an extension of the waiver from the end of September to the end of December. It is a vital lifeline to keep businesses coping through the pandemic. Does the Minister foresee a need for a rates waiver in 2021? He may not be able to answer that question.