Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

The Minister of State should be aware that a commitment was given in 2016 that 60,000 new houses would be built between 2007 and 2009. The Government does not have a hope of fulfilling that commitment on the basis of what he has just stated. Does the Minister of State agree that the number of housing starts for 2008 has been dramatically reduced and that the rental subsidy scheme is a shambles? Responsibility for the latter was supposed to be transferred from the health authorities to the local authorities but in many areas this cannot be done because the necessary administrative systems are not in place.

Will the Minister of State indicate that action that will be taken to deal with the problem of the numbers on housing lists increasing? The Department's programmes are not working. Will the Minister of State say if he has new initiatives to take, particularly in respect of affordable housing schemes?

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