Batt O'Keeffe (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

In 2005, funding to local authorities for their housing programmes amounts to €1.3 billion, an increase of more than 20% on the 2004 outturn. This figure represents a sevenfold increase in the past ten years. Total capital expenditure on social and affordable housing output in 2005, inclusive of non-Exchequer financing, will amount to approximately €2 billion. Clearly, the Deputy will not accept these figures.

This improved funding will mean approximately 5,500 local authority houses can be started in the year ahead compared to an average of 4,700 units in each of the past three years. The Deputy should give the Government some credit for this development. In 2005, it is anticipated that the needs of in excess of 13,000 households will be met from the same measure. It is also anticipated that a number of households currently in private rented accommodation will transfer to the new rental accommodation scheme being introduced. The households in question will continue to be accommodated primarily in the private sector.

I do not propose to discuss in detail the voluntary or co-operative sectors. It is important to place on record the lack of consistency in the Labour Party's approach to ensuring land is available for young people.

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