Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I asked the Tánaiste a number of questions she did not answer. Is the amount of money finite or is it likely to be increased? I also asked her about possible short-term rent caps, increased powers for the PRTB and about something akin to a family income supplement. I acknowledge that from what I can discern, there has been a noticeable difference with regard to community welfare officers, which is welcome. I am interested in practical solutions, but we cannot continue to use the supply-side argument exclusively, because if we take that to its logical conclusion, essentially we are telling people to go off and hibernate.

Another point is that the short-term action plan focuses heavily on Dublin, which is the epicentre of the problem. While it will be extended to Cork city and county, it does not extend to an area identified by the Simon Community, namely, the periphery of Dublin, along with counties such as Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. For example, a county like Kildare is bigger than Limerick city and county put together, but it does not have a city in the middle. Similarly, the pressures on counties such as Wicklow or Meath are just as bad as those on Cork county. Consequently, one really must look at where people live, rather than stating "There is a city, and that is where the problem is." I have a serious problem with that. I acknowledge that there is a housing programme that will extend into the lifetime of the successor to the present Government before houses actually will be delivered. Short-term solutions are absolutely essential, and one thing that is becoming evident is the role the banks are playing with regard to the buy-to-let sector, in which people are increasingly at risk of losing their homes because banks are forcing sales. Increasingly, people are being evicted as a consequence of this trend, and that must be addressed. I ask the Tánaiste to address the questions I asked in the first instance.

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