Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will talk fast. I welcome the historic investment in the housing budget, which, of course, is the number one priority for all of us on the committee. I know that that funding will be used to help people to own their own home or to get into long-term affordable leases. That is very welcome. I also welcome the €2 billion URDF funding. We see the benefits of that funding in Lucan every day. The Minister was there for the opening of Tandy's Park and saw the huge impact the funding has had. Airlie Park is under construction. It is good to hear that the Minister is preparing to make announcements on additional planning and housing staff for local authorities. They are badly needed. We need more people not only in housing to make sure that the budget is being exhausted and spent in the right place but also in planning when it comes to everything from enforcement right through to decision-making.

As for resourcing, I have two quick suggestions for the Minister. First, I ask that he look at costing a clerk of works role across local authorities and decide whether that could be incorporated long-term into planning policy and legislation to ensure that planning is appropriately regulated. Second is the creation of an animal welfare officer in each local authority. The Minister might think that that might impact only rural councils, but urban ones such as mine in south Dublin have an awful lot of dealings with horses in particular. My Lovely Horse Rescue has been calling for this measure.

I have a further brief question that the Minister might answer if there is time. It is about the key performance indicators, KPIs, or goals for chief executives. The Department has a stringent rhythm and cadence in respect of its reporting on housing, social housing in particular. The Department captures the affordable housing metrics as well. I would like to know if it measures other things. When it allocates money for vacant or void units, for example, does the Minister get a reassurance that those resources are ring-fenced by each local authority and spent for that specific use? When the Minister makes announcements in this regard, he usually says the funding is enough to cover 150 units or whatever per local authority. Is the Minister made aware when that housing comes back into stock? Does he get that reported on?