Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As a committee, we have discussed the surpluses in 2018 and 2019. However, we do not talk about the deficit in terms of the infrastructure and the health infrastructure, which has naturally impacted and meant that we have been in long lockdowns because our infrastructure simply cannot cope.

My second question is on the shared equity scheme. I have heard the views that Dr. McQuinn expressed about the scheme but I would like a bit more detail. Recently, I wrote to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to ask him what risk analysis had been done on the shared equity scheme and to outline the nature of the risk model that he was employing and the assumptions made therein. I did not get an answer to any of my questions but the Minister, somewhat unreassuringly, said that work on the detailed design of the proposed scheme is ongoing and that the scheme would increase growth in the housing supply by improving confidence. That has not necessarily been the case over the past while. Perhaps he means there will be business confidence among those who may benefit from the scheme. Can Dr. McQuinn tell me how the scheme will inflate prices?