Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

A lot of the student representatives have a real difficulty with the HFA funding being used to produce accommodation that they see as commanding a high rent that is unaffordable for many students. That is something for our guests to be aware of though as lenders they may not be the people to address it. Student representatives would dispute the assertion that there is affordability available for students. They would say affordability is not being delivered.

On cost-rental loans, the Housing Agency and the Housing Finance Agency are clearly saying that getting more affordable rents through cost rental cannot be done on the financing side. A 1% interest rate for 40 years is excellent financing and is about as good an arrangement as possible. If anything is to be achieved in reducing rents to a cost rental level, it would have to come on the delivery side. Is that a fair summation?