Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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I have a number of questions that I would like Mr. Taaffe to give honest answers to. I thank Mr. Taaffe for his presentation. I appreciated it and I appreciate all the work that local authorities are doing around the country.

The first question relates to the level of need of social and affordable housing. Does Mr. Taaffe believe that the current targets for social and affordable housing delivery are sufficient to meet the real housing needs out there, for example, HAP and young adults living at home? When will we have addressed those levels of housing need? Will it be in five years, ten years or 15 years on the basis of current delivery? What additional funding is needed to deliver social and affordable housing? Resourcing and borrowing issues were mentioned. Has Mr. Taaffe any figures for the additional capital that is required?

Could the witnesses expand on the issue of borrowing capacity? I know that issue has been raised by a number of councils. What capacity is there and what is needed to change that around to enable local authorities to borrow significantly to deliver, and is there potential to increase that as a source of finance?

Barriers to affordable housing, affordable purchase and affordable cost rental were mentioned. Could the witnesses outline some of the barriers to delivering and expanding delivery of affordable purchase and affordable rental by local authorities? Is it accurate to describe the vacant property refurbishment grant as a form of affordable housing delivery?

Many issues have been raised about the tenants in situ scheme and there were concerns around homelessness. In the witnesses’ knowledge, are there local authorities that cannot process applications or requests related to the tenants in situ scheme due to the changes that have been brought forward in respect of it, or is that likely to happen this year?

I have a general question. It is something I have talked about before and it follows on from Deputy Cooney’s point about employment in construction. Is there a role for the State to employ public construction as a way to guarantee employment and guarantee delivery of housing into the future? That might take different forms.

Finally, is there a potential for regional co-ordination among local authorities to deliver housing, rather than each local authority having to do it itself and develop its own capacity?

I appreciate that I asked many questions. I ask the witnesses to do their best to answer them.