Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

There are still challenges, however, as far as housing is concerned. Following the council's adoption of the master plan, a very big debate is going on at present and community groups are critical of some of the housing development, particularly as regards apartments. There appears to be over-development of apartments in the Square, the town centre and the village where I work every day. The council must be challenged as regards the type of housing it is providing. My Sinn Féin colleagues made the point last night that to have affordable housing development in places such as mine is surely the way forward, giving people homes and not just having apartments springing up into the sky. That is not to say that it is not a very positive place.

The Ceann Comhairle will have noted that it has attracted some negative publicity in the past two weeks or so, however. I am very sensitive about my area because it is a great place. It is a vibrant, very young community and has developed enormously since the Square opened 16 years ago. It is a place to be proud of, in which people should be given the opportunity to live. I am delighted that so many people want to live there, particularly those who grew up in the area. It is very important to give people whose families were reared there, as were my sons, the opportunity to stay in the area and to purchase affordable housing.

I will not stand on the Government side of the House and argue that the price of housing is not outrageous. Of course it is and all of us need to continue to do what we can to correct that position. We need to create the situation whereby affordable and social housing is available where possible, and that should be the priority of Government. There was criticism last night of the shared ownership scheme. There will always be mixed views about shared ownership, but it is an opportunity for young people in particular to get houses and we should be encouraging them. However, there is a case to be made for examining the various shared ownership schemes to see how they could be improved.

There has been much progress in south Dublin in regard to affordable housing in recent times. As part of Sustaining Progress, the Government provided for affordable housing, using a variety of mechanisms to deliver on the programme. One of these was the affordable housing initiative, where State lands were to be swapped for turnkey units. This initiative was to be delivered regarding State-provided lands, with developers providing and selling units and private institutions supplying the finance for purchasers. The first of these to be delivered was the exchange of units for the land at Harcourt Terrace. Bids were invited from developers and the successful tender was won by Durkan New Homes, which offered 193 units in Tallaght, Lucan and — Deputy Curran will be pleased to know — Clondalkin in exchange for the land.

The properties represent excellent value and provide private housing at incredibly low prices — two-bedroom units from €142,000 and three-bedroom units from €172,000. These units went on sale in April and I understand the sale has now closed. A further 191 units — again in Tallaght, Lucan and Clondalkin, under Harcourt Terrace phase 2 — are on sale. Again, the council tells me they represent incredibly good value for money. As regards the units on sale through South Dublin County Council, I understand the closing date for applications was 20 October and 1,760 applications were received. South Dublin County Council has told me the draw for successful applicants will take place this Thursday evening. I look forward to people being looked after in that regard. I understand the successful applicants will then be given ten days to complete the necessary supporting documentation to ensure the validity of their applications. That will be a good night for some people, maybe not for enough, but we are at least going forward.

I compliment Deputy Crowe again for his work in this regard. I look forward to listening to the rest of the debate.

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