Mr. John-Mark McCafferty:

I thank Deputy Duffy for his interest in our area of work. There has been a historical lack of building and not just during the recession. I remember being around the social partnership table with the National Economic and Social Council when we are talking about this back in 2014. There has been a consistent and deliberate policy not to build social housing for a long time. I do, however, have faith that, through the larger approved housing bodies and local authorities, a concerted effort is now being made up to ramp up the supply of social housing. There has been for the past number of years. I also have faith and hope - because it is the season of faith and hope - with regard to affordable housing and affordable rental. We are in the early days of that but there is great potential in that area. Having said that, the housing assistance payment will be here for at least the medium term, if not the longer term. I know rent supplement was supposed to be a short-term measure but we still have it and it is still appropriate in certain circumstances, especially given the Covid situation.