Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to have a brief opportunity to contribute to this important debate. Over Christmas, when Members were enjoying themselves, RTE broadcast a programme which featured particular difficulties with housing conditions in a county in the midlands. There were two or three houses featured on the programme, which was presented by a former Member of the House, the late Ted Nealon. The year featured was 1964. One saw a graphic pictures of the state of the accommodation in which people lived. Single people were living alone in a rural setting. One man had vacated a house and was living in a mobile home adjoining the same site. I mention it because it was a snapshot in time of the housing position. I am sure all of those featured were on the social housing list of whatever county it was. When one fasts forward to today, one finds there are 90,000 people on the social housing lists. That graphically illustrates the changes that have taken place in terms of housing need in the intervening period.

The local medical officer featured in the programme placed particular emphasis on the health issues caused by the dilapidated accommodation in which people lived at the time. Today, dampness and the suitability of housing for family units can determine the health and well-being of individuals living in accommodation at a particular time.

On the one hand there is the obvious need for additional houses to be built for social housing, while on the other is the need for private housing. Let us examine the current challenges. Most speakers have mentioned the problem of distressed mortgages. Is our system adequate for dealing with that problem? Will we allow a drift? Will the matter be left to the banks and the mortgage companies to bring it to an unsatisfactory conclusion?

There are many bankrupt builders in the country. While many of them did not take good decisions during the boom period for building, none the less there is a skill base and know-how as far as the industry in concerned. If building is to be kick-started, their skills and know-how will have to be brought back into business. I know of many people - I am sure it is the same throughout the country - who ran very successful small and medium enterprises, speculated on the housing market and, as a consequence, ran into financial trouble.

Demographics in Ireland show that there is one area where public policy needs to be developed and refined, namely, adequate sheltered accommodation for elderly people. From my experience, I know many elderly people are languishing in high-cost nursing homes when they could live in suitable sheltered accommodation in their local town or village if an adequate supply of such housing was available. It is one area on which the housing section of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government could develop a clear and transparent policy initiative very quickly. Savings may well accrue to the fair deal scheme. The demand for support to keep people in nursing homes could in many instances be minimised.

We discuss social houses or private sector houses. If one considers the different stages, such as land to build on, houses and stamp duty, it is a significant burden in terms of the overall cost of providing houses. Let us not forget that the mortgages couples or individuals have to negotiate with their mortgage companies must be enough to embrace all of those costs. The person who purchases the house will be paying for all of that.

There are 90,000 people on the social housing list. Most Members will accept that there is a clear opportunity to stimulate the economy and create worthwhile, well-paid employment given the range of skills involved in building if we can stimulate the industry in a sensible, prudent and advisable way. There is no reason that cannot be done. Let us get on with it, stimulate the economy and reduce the social housing list as quickly as possible.

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