Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister for being here. Unfortunately, I have to start with a negative comment on what he said to the effect that it is not realistic to hit the targets the Government should be hitting this year. That is an outrageous admission for the Minister for housing to make. He was in the previous Government. He was part of the Government that went around during the election campaign talking about the 40,000 houses that the dogs in the street knew could not be delivered. Now he has come in here to dampen expectations. It was 10,000 too many before the general election and now it is 10,000 less. This is an astounding comment by the Minister today when we are talking about the Estimates. We are talking about affordable housing, social housing, cost rental and private housing. It is shocking.

The Minister spoke about affordability earlier. Affordable housing on the Old Mallow Road in Cork is being rolled out at just under €400,000. It is possible to buy a house cheaper than that on the north side of Cork city. Where are the criteria for those houses on the Old Mallow Road in Cork to come in at almost €400,000? Will the Minister comment on targets not being reached and on affordability?