Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree with part of what Deputy Ellis is saying. The Minister talks about €58 million for social housing. She does not need me to tell her that it will need serious multiples of that number to address seriously the shortage of social housing. Even though going back to the State providing social housing does not seem to be on the neo-liberal agenda, it is imperative that we do so.

With more controls in the private rental sector, the Government could actually have direct investment in the industry. We will run into a problem. It does seem to be getting worse and the country is becoming more and more centralised. The provinces will die on their feet bar some policy on the part of the Government to direct investment outside of the capital.

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