Francis Noel Duffy (Dublin South West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the organisations for attending. I was a member of South Dublin County Council and I know first hand the local knowledge that councillors bring to the table during the decision-making process. I agree with Ms Hoade and Mr. Sheahan on the importance of ensuring that local authorities are central in delivering housing. The programme for Government commits to doing that.

Regarding the percentage of affordable housing, the Green Party supports local authorities in setting out a minimum percentage of owner occupiers in any development. I told the Dáil that the party believes that section 183 is problematic in terms of councillors' reserved functions, that the State should not be complicit in profit model housing, in which respect there has been some talk concerning the LDA, and that the LDA should be building public housing on public land.

My question is on the new housing schemes - cost-rental and affordable purchase - that will be procured by the LDA in conjunction with local authorities and approved housing bodies, AHBs. Both schemes are welcome. They have not been in the public housing mix during the past decade, which was problematic for my council. When we tried to consider different affordable models, all we could work with was social housing or private sales. The cost-rental and affordable purchase schemes will come on stream through a Bill that is linked to the LDA Bill. In addition to social units, they will assist in mitigating the housing crisis and offer alternative housing models for our communities. Do the witnesses feel that these schemes can make a difference if rolled out appropriately and in quantity?