Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Acting Chairman is aware of the situation we have in Kildare. The Opposition spoke about finding quick-fix solutions to this problem but there are none. This has been a long-term problem, which started back in 2000 when Fianna Fáil introduced the provision of 20% social and affordable housing in the Planning and Development Act. No houses were delivered under that provision because of High Court cases taken by Fianna Fáil’s friends, the builders and developers. Since the crash, no houses have been delivered under the 20% rule. It is amusing then to hear tonight that Fianna Fáil is looking to bring the provision back, so as to assist its builder and developer friends. Last Friday in Kildare, it was amusing to see among the crowd at a function for a Fianna Fáil councillor, a large contingent of builders. They felt they were back in town again because Fianna Fáil feels it is coming back into power. I can tell Deputy Barry Cowen that there is no way I will let the 20% social and affordable housing rule ruin the social housing structure and fabric again.

We, therefore, have a situation in Kildare where not one house is currently being built by the local authority even though the money is available. The authority is not ready because it expected the 20% provision for social and affordable housing to be delivered, but this has not happened. That is the reason I was delighted the Minister of State, Deputy Coffey, reduced the requirement to 10%.

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