Joe Cooney (Clare, Fine Gael)

I thank all the witnesses for coming in. I have a concern, as they know, about what we call people being caught between two stools. It is subjective; what is affordable for me is unaffordable for you, which can be natural enough. A one-size-fits-all system is not working and there is no point saying it is working. We have seen that over the last number of months. The challenges facing people when they try to work through all the criteria is creating a system that just is not operational. Can I suggest that the witnesses would be better to come from the other side to that of the system, and maybe look at it from that side? There would be an approved mortgage, and the State would support the purchase by taking a share based on the balance of the payment. I am well aware of people who did not meet the limit for the social housing. Unfortunately, they cannot get a mortgage to get on the affordable housing ladder.

Where does that leave those who are caught in the middle? It leaves them staying at home with their parents, unfortunately, and they cannot get an affordable house. Maybe the witnesses will come in on that point.