Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As to whether we want to and are going to build more social homes and see the State play a role in that, the answer is an unqualified "Yes". This is not just a promise for the future. Rather, it is the reality of what is happening now. It is the reality of this Government, despite our construction sector being closed for so long due to a pandemic, now having 8,750 social and public homes on site. That is our track record. That is what we are doing.

Any debate on the role of funds in developing more apartments has to acknowledge that the Government is investing directly in more homes being built across the country by local authorities.

Regarding the great challenges in the rental sector, apart from Sinn Féin being a party that last night voted against a measure that, as we speak, has put 3,300 more properties into the rental sector than would otherwise be the case, with 3,300 renters and their families in accommodation, it is yet to outline how it would deliver a supply of rental accommodation. That would not happen without the forward funding and forward purchase by funds that play a role in the delivery of apartments.

As to what we will do in the coming period to respond to renters' needs, the Government has committed to building 4,100 affordable and cost-rental homes next year. Over the next 12 to 18 months, there will be more than 6,000 homes built. That is what we will do. The Deputy appears to have neglected the fact that, in the 18 months since the Tánaiste made that comment, we have had a pandemic in which the construction sector has been closed and countries all over the world have seen house prices increase. All over the world is a matter for other people, though. What I am focused on is how we do a better job in Ireland. We will do a better job through the €4 billion of funding that I have included in the budget to build more homes directly, deliver affordable and cost-rental homes and enable the private sector to ramp up over time to building 20,000 homes per year.