Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Will the Taoiseach revisit the terms of reference of the cross-departmental team in order to place a greater emphasis on its responsibility to address the issue of housing? We have addressed this team and its remit on many occasions and there is, understandably, a significant concentration on infrastructure and public private partnerships, but the housing element, which is a component in the title of the committee's responsibility, is rarely addressed in detail. I raised this issue previously. I am particularly keen to know whether the cross-departmental team has taken the opportunity, or will, with new emphasis on the need to do so, address the report published last month that claimed there were 40,000 vacant apartments in the city of Dublin. I do not accept that claim, but nevertheless it was made and it has not been repudiated, examined or rejected and the factual position has not been established.

Does the Taoiseach see a role for the cross-departmental team in addressing that report and putting the factual position on the record? Does he see a role for the team in enhancing the whole policy area in relation to the delivery of social and affordable housing through the local authority system, where we have 43,000 families, family units or individual senior citizens waiting on the respective waiting lists. That equates to approximately 100,000 people, which includes family units, some consisting of several people, so 100,000 is a conservative number.

Does the Taoiseach accept there is, perhaps, a further role for the cross-departmental team in revisiting the outworking of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000? I wonder what the Taoiseach's view is on this. If implemented as originally announced by the former Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Noel Dempsey, and if the original intent was adhered to, Part V would have made a significant contribution towards addressing the social housing need throughout the State, but, sadly, as amended, it has failed to live up to the original expectation. What is the Taoiseach's position in that regard and does he believe the cross-departmental team has a role and function in revisiting the factual outworking of Part V over the period since?

There is, understandably, great concern at the situation where many young couples have taken out 100% mortgages in order to access a home of their own, and these are dependent on a dual income. As a result of the steady series of increases in European Central Bank interest rates, many couples have found themselves in a very difficult financial situation and, in a contracting market, a negative equity now, perhaps, applies to these properties. Does the Taoiseach agree that the cross-departmental team should also address this issue? There is real concern in that regard. If the situation becomes more grave, we will see an ever-increasing spiral of repossessions. Already the indication is that there is a significant increase in that area. Does the Taoiseach share my concern in that regard and does he believe it is a matter that the cross-departmental team should address?

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