Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

I thank the Minister for that reply. I do not know whether Deputy Cowley heard yesterday but in the discussion on private nursing homes, the work he has done in Mulranny was mentioned. It is an example of the type of development we should aspire to so that older people can stay in the community and have supported housing.

On Mothers' Day last Sunday, my daughter, as a surprise gift to me, took me out to the new shopping centre at Balally in Dundrum. I went along because I had no option but to accept the gift. We went there on the Luas. Dundrum is a very affluent part of south Dublin, as the Minister is aware. When we got to the Luas station at Balally, I was surprised to see hanging all over the apartments being built there banners advertising tax breaks for investors who invest in these apartments. What is the necessity for a tax break for an investor purchasing an apartment in the Dundrum area directly over a Luas stop and beside one of the best shopping centres in Ireland?

The Minister should contrast that with the case we have been making for the need to provide incentives for social housing for older people and people on the housing list. The new shopping centre is lovely. I was delighted to be there with the tens of thousands of other people who were also brought there for Mothers' Day. However, we must ask ourselves what has gone wrong when we provide tax breaks at the marginal rate of 42% with no further requirement to check anything out. If the Minister gets the opportunity, he should go and see these banners hung over the apartments.

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