Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Why is it not possible for the strategic investment fund to enter into an arrangement with local authorities or a State housing agency on commercial terms for the building of social housing? There is one consideration foremost in the mind of anyone looking to buy a commercial property or a residential property as an investment, that is, whether the owner will have tenants. There would be guaranteed tenants because there are 100,000 people on the social housing list. This means a guaranteed rental income yield from an investment in social housing. Can the Minister of State explain why there is a need to involve the private sector as a third party? Is it not possible to construct an arrangement on commercial terms between this fund and local authorities or housing agencies for the construction of social housing, using the resulting rental income to deliver a return?

When I was young we lived-----

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