Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

I wanted to hear the Minister of State's views on the amendment before speaking. I wonder why he is not willing to stitch the proposal into the Bill. Section 23(1)(a) provides that "where the vacant site comprises residential land", moneys received from the levy may be spent "on the provision of housing on residential land in the vicinity of the site". It does not, however, specify that this should be social housing. The purpose of the amendment is to nail down a requirement to spend these moneys on social housing. We must be specific in this matter. Why will the Minister of State not agree to include a reference to social housing? Surely the ultimate purpose of the vacant site levy is to deliver social housing. In that case, why not agree to the amendment? The reference to using the proceeds of the levy for "the provision of housing on residential land" is vague. What type of housing will be provided? We want and need social housing because this is the area most affected by the current housing crisis. The reason the Minister of State will not accept the amendment is unclear.

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