Mr. Barry Quinlan:

I thank Senator Fitzpatrick and Deputy McAuliffe for their questions. I will start with the question on cost rental. I accept Deputy McAuliffe's point. From a policy perspective, I have worked in social housing for a long time and I have a lot of experience in that area. Everything we are trying to do around affordable housing would be complementary to social housing. We are seeking to build sustainable long-term communities. The cost rental projects that are being brought forward include significant elements of social housing as well. More broadly, we will be working with local authorities as housing and planning bodies to ensure cost rental is part of thriving, sustainable communities. In the first instance, it is important to get the cost rental model up and running. One of the points made to us by people in Vienna that have worked in cost rental for years is that it is really important to get started and build up the stock. Over time, cost rental units should be part of thriving communities.

In terms of older people and people with disabilities, this matter also comes within the remit of my new division within the Department. I know from working with local authorities that they want to integrate all forms of housing into the communities of the future. I take on board the point made. It will be a key part of the schemes as they come forward that to the greatest extent possible they bring all forms of housing together in communities.

On the question of rural counties, if I am not mistaken County Longford has the lowest median and mean house prices in the State. The all-in median figure is €108,000 and for first-time buyers it is €130,000. In that type of scenario, it is difficult for new-build products to compete with the existing housing available. In the first instance - we touched on this earlier - it is important that the State targets its affordability measures towards the parts of the country that are experiencing the most extreme affordability challenges, such as the greater Dublin area and the other cities. There is an understanding within the Department that other measures are needed over time to support new home building in parts of the country where that is not currently viable. It is a slightly different issue from affordability. In terms of current rural house prices, affordability is not the issue. It is more about the viability of building a new unit versus what is available from the market.