Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to explore the wider context and the impact within it. I refer to the ESRI conclusions that, given current supply shortages, it is likely that benefits will be outweighed by inflationary pressures. I read with interest the report on mortgage credit access and State intervention. It concludes by stating that:

[P]ublic policy mechanisms to subsidise rents, such as affordability or cost rental measures, are viewed as tenure end-points for recipient households, however such measures may provide a platform by which recipient households accumulate a deposit and become home-owners. Exploring the dynamics of affordability and tenure choice could provide useful insights for the calibration of housing affordability and related policy interventions.

Coming back to the point made by Deputy Higgins, the wider context needs to be analysed. This includes the LDA, the focus on improving supply, the interventions which focus on improving access to affordable housing and credit and existing schemes. The interplay of all that will assist in easing demand and increasing supply. I am interested in hearing the comments from the ESRI on that. I acknowledge the wider circumstance in the context of the statements today and how they have been represented in the media. I would like Mr. O'Connell to expand on his comments that we need to focus on supply as a solution.