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

I welcome the chairman designate, Mr. O'Rourke, congratulate him on his new position and wish him the very best as he embarks on his journey to help address the housing deficiency in our country. I note his previous experience and am especially taken by his experience in Transport Infrastructure Ireland, which will be very valuable to him in this role. We all know and agree we need to build homes but it is equally important that we deliver those homes hand in hand with infrastructure. I hope Mr. O'Rourke will bring that experience and insight into his new role.

My first question is on the delivery of 5,000 affordable homes in four years, which has been set out as one of the key goals. The Land Development Agency has identified key sites, some of which already have boots on the ground and others that are in the pipeline. How is the overall project or vision managed, monitored and measured? I am keen for that to be done in a public and transparent way. I would welcome Mr. O'Rourke's views on how output will be looked at. We have different sites. He will report to the Minister and also to this committee regularly. However, if there were a depository, if you like, that members of the public could visit to see how the LDA is progressing on sites and what the status is of different sites, it would be valuable and of interest and would make sure all of us hold the LDA and the Minister to account on the delivery of these much-needed homes.

I have another question on the database of sites, which has also been dealt with by previous speakers. We have all noted the prevalence of certain sites and geographical areas. I am conscious there may be some counties where the LDA will not have a pipeline of affordable homes. I would like to hear Mr. O'Rourke's insight into how that will be rectified. Obviously, the LDA will have a higher level of interest in areas in which there is a higher percentage of affordable output. However, how do we make sure we bring affordability to counties and areas that are not on the current list? The LDA will have first refusal on State lands. How will that work and how will priorities be identified?

My final question is on cost inflation in building. Mr. O'Rourke addressed this in his opening statement, but it is important we get a handle on it. How does the LDA intend to offset inflation in the cost of delivering homes to ensure that cost is absorbed as much as possible and, more importantly, is not transferred on, and that all homes on LDA sites continue to be affordable, despite inflation in the market?