John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)

However, this Government has overseen a position where people simply cannot afford to buy a house. Young people have no option but to live at home until they are in their 30s and earning a wage which will allow them to buy a house. Otherwise, they must throw money down the drain on rented accommodation.

The changes which have been implemented have been too few and too late. The €317,000 stamp duty threshold is lower than the average price of a house for a first time buyer in Dublin. What was the Minister, Deputy Cowen's, intention when he introduced this change? While a change in the threshold is welcome, a change which would affect people in a more helpful way would have been more welcome.

Only 187 affordable housing units were completed last year. Figures for this year are elusive so we can only presume there will not be a major change in that figure at the end of 2005, regardless of what the Government says. Talking will not put a roof over people's heads. According to the Higher Education Authority, 1,000 students are living in hostels. It is unacceptable that the Government will refer to the need for a highly educated population but will not support students by putting a roof over their heads. We have the wealthiest economy in Europe, but people are still living on the streets. A total of 1,140 children are homeless, which is horrific. The Government must stand up and be accountable for this.

The national spatial strategy continues to be undermined at every level. We need to put a strategy in place that will not just make do for a few years, but will be sturdy enough to support Ireland for generations to come. With a growing population, planning is imperative yet we have a lack of planning from the Government. It should be truly ashamed of this. People have to wait on lists for affordable housing, yet they cannot avail of such housing. It is impossible for so many young people today to get on the housing ladder.

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