Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister. I listened to previous speakers in the debate refer to vacant houses and their future role in contributions and their potential to resolve the housing crisis. From my knowledge, and this is my opinion, if there is an expectancy to resolve the housing crisis or make any serious impact on it through the medium of vacant houses throughout the country I have to say we will be very sadly disappointed. This is because of the scale of the problem ahead. To my mind, it requires the most appropriate action, which is the direct build as quickly as possible of as many affordable houses as can be made available given there are well over 100,000 families on the waiting lists for property. The longer this remains, the higher rent prices will go and the pressure to increase rents will continue. I am particularly concerned about the cost of restoration of some of the vacant houses referred to. All builders would tell us the restoration of an existing house is more costly for many reasons than to build from scratch on a greenfield site. This is by way of observation. I have considerable grounds for believing this. If the Minister would like to respond I will take the response now and I have one more question.