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

On the circular that has been spoken about, I was in the Dáil last week when the Taoiseach answered a question on it. He was very clear that the circular issued to local authorities was a way of reiterating to county councils that acquisitions cannot be an alternative to building. What we do not want is local authorities buying up en massethree and four bedroom homes that would otherwise be available to first-time buyers. Local authorities should not be doing that. There is a balance that we need to strike. That balance is that local authorities should be able to purchase homes where there is a tenant in situwho will otherwise end up homeless, there is a need to improve the stock of a particular type of home, for example, one-bedroom apartments, or there is a specific need to deliver more homes that are accessible from a disability perspective. It is my understanding that this is what that circular sets out to achieve. I know we spoke a little about this but it would be useful if more clarity could be provided.