Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am seeking answers to those specific questions. Does the Minister agree on the need for legislation? We have 33,000 empty houses in unfinished estates, while 100,000 family units are on the housing waiting list. Can we not put legislation in place to make a match between them? There is a precedent with the Land Commission whereby unused land was bought by the State and leased out to people who eventually bought out the holdings. Thus a match was made between those who needed land and land that was unused or under-used.

In this case we have houses that are not being used, while we have an accommodation crisis. Does the Minister agree that due to the slow progress, legislation is required to use such accommodation for social and affordable housing?

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