Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

The demand for social housing is bigger than it has ever been in the history of the State, with 48,000 people waiting. People who need housing are being put in a very bad position. We find that the people who have money will make even more money. While private housing is thriving, social housing is in the doldrums. The level of house prices is such that one requires ten times the average industrial wage to get to the entry point for housing. It is the reality of this country at this stage.

We had many ways forward, such as the All-Party Committee on the Constitution. The National Economic and Social Council report is lying there, with its recommendations being ignored. More resources for local authorities and housing associations are required. The private rented housing subsidy of €250 is an open cheque book for private developers. This is on the backs of the homeless and the destitute. More social housing must be targeted at low income households and vulnerable groups such as the elderly, the homeless and the disabled. We have the lowest stock of social housing in Europe, with the exception of poor Luxembourg. This is the state of dear old Ireland in 2006. Where has Fianna Fáil gone? Is it the party that will look after the poor and the vulnerable or is de Valera's dream gone down the Swanee? NESC recommends an increase from 127,000 houses to 200,000. We can now see a new generation of drifters, moving from one private landlord to another.

This country has been asset-stripped of social housing. We need more resources now. Does the Government agree with NESC? If not, it should forget about the council but if the Government agrees, it must do something about the situation. The targets were identified in the National Development Plan 2000-2006 but they have not been met. There is a future but I am not sure the Government is prepared to go down the right road.

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