James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

Not at all. I thank the Senator very much. I want to see people in homes as quickly as possible, whatever the case may be, whether they are social, affordable, cost rental or their own purchase. It is all about increasing supply. We are increasing the powers of the Land Development Agency, including that geographical piece where it can go out wider than is currently the case. We are also working with local authorities in terms of master-planning to facilitate them to be able to deliver homes in various areas.

It was noted that County Laois has done well. Our targets are minimum targets. We always encourage local authorities to exceed them. The current targets were set in 2021. We will issue new targets. That is very important. It is always important to emphasise that targets are minimum targets for what local authorities can deliver.

I will engage with the ESB on the Hollybrook development. I do not like talking about any particular development but it is unacceptable for houses to be left idle. I will engage directly with the ESB to see what the issue is in that case and why the houses have not been connected.

In terms of how targets are set, it is complex. It is based on the current need and on future need. The capacity of local authorities have been taken into account as well, in terms of their ability to deliver. We will continue to engage with local authorities on how we set our new targets for them.