Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

There are no problems there either.

Moreover, much has been done in respect of housing quality. Almost one third of the total stock has been constructed in the past ten years and houses are now built to a better standard. With regard to local authority housing, last year we started a scheme to install central heating in approximately 45,000 houses that currently do not have it. That is a major upgrade which will greatly improve the quality of life for those tenants.

While we are concerned about affordability and price rises, trotting out figures based on average prices does not mean much, because houses worth €1 million and €2 million are included in that calculation. It is more relevant to discuss the price of starter homes. Good value is still to be found and the percentage of one's take-home pay that one pays on one's mortgage is more relevant than the price. In recent months, I have attended the official opening of affordable houses in the Dublin area, which cost less than €200,000. They exist and I commend the local authorities which are doing their bit.

Many Members have blamed developers and landowners. I will not defend developers and some of them have been extremely greedy. Of late, however, financial institutions have caused problems. At present, they can be seen offering 100% mortgages and interest-only mortgages. They have so much money that they compete for market share and appear to be lending money to people who may not realise what they are getting into. I have serious concerns in that regard and I wish the financial institutions were somewhat more measured in their actions.

Some Members have come into this House to tell me the number of people on the local authority list in their county. However, we have asked the local authorities for five-year action plans and to inform us as to their local needs. We have made agreements with them and have assured them that funding is certain. Hence, I cannot understand how Members can complain. If a local authority states that 200 units a year are required, but Members come into the House and claim that thousands are needed, what are local authority members doing? Why are we hearing two different stories? We have made agreements and have given commitments to local authorities that whatever they state to be their needs will be met. This is the basis on which I operate.

Many people are now housed with the aid of rent allowance. What is wrong with that? Now that the Government has announced the introduction of the rental accommodation scheme, a number of speakers have suddenly expressed opposition to housing social tenants in private areas. Must all social tenants be housed in traditional local authority dwellings in traditional working class areas? Why can we not expand our horizons? What is wrong with the scheme?

The Government is delivering on social housing, as demonstrated by its investment of €2 billion in the housing programme this year. After a day of listening to hot air, I have heard no useful proposals. The Government is doing good work and I hope the Estimates tomorrow or the budget in December will provide additional funding for housing. Those benefiting from social or affordable homes recognise they are being treated well.

See this speech in context