Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

We all share the need to live somewhere. It would be impossible to imagine, for example, an election in which housing was not a dominant issue. I anticipate that many of the issues addressed in the motion before us tonight will be raised in the coming months.

New problems are arising in terms of management companies for traditional housing estates, which are tantamount to the return of domestic rates. Although this morning in the District Court, 20 cases taken by a management company were struck out, the lack of legal protection is astonishing given the time that has passed since the issue first came to light. Given that a minimum of 70,000 houses nationally are located in completed housing estates where local authorities have not taken responsibility for public spaces, I am convinced there is better protection for consumers who buy bags of crisps than for those who buy houses. When a developer does not complete roads or landscaping before starting to sell dreams off the plans for his or her next site, the residents of incomplete estates are left with nightmares.

At the height of the housing boom in 2005, a mere 730 people purchased homes under the shared ownership scheme. The fact that shared ownership is the only loan available to those who are unable to get mortgages from private lending institutions demonstrates the inadequacy of the scheme. Given that 2,500 local authority houses, excluding those in refurbishment schemes, currently lie vacant, the turnaround time for re-letting is unacceptably long in some locations. Steel shutters ghettoise such areas and make it impossible for residents to build a sense of pride. The lack of urgency in addressing that issue is breathtaking.

The delays in delivering affordable housing, including developments under the Part V scheme, have added to the growing local authority waiting lists. Single income households and individuals face particular difficulties in that regard. The housing waiting list in County Kildare comprises 3,000 individuals and families, which equates to a decently sized town of 15,000 people.

The Government's amendment demonstrates how far removed from reality it is. Thankfully, it will not be long before the Government has to acknowledge that.

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