Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

Would the Minister not agree that families cannot simply focus on the HICP and pretend they do not have mortgages to pay? It is not a fair comparison. According to the CSO, the cost of mortgages has increased by 80%, food costs have increased by 30% and the cost of child care and health has increased by 20% in the past two years. Young families are obliged to shoulder a huge, disproportionate burden. Is the Minister aware that the Central Bank reported that 50% of families cannot afford to buy a house? Perhaps the Minister would discuss the affordable housing scheme with his colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern. The thresholds under that scheme are archaic and have ceased to be effective. Is it not necessary to consider targeted interventions at young families to deal with this? I acknowledge the Minister did something in that regard in the budget but he is not doing enough in some areas. He is not targeting people on low incomes who are struggling to get on the housing ladder.

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