Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I stated earlier that NAMA has identified over 6,000 units as suitable for provision to local authorities or approved housing bodies. Whether the Deputy likes it or not, the housing authorities are responsible for housing people. The Government sets policy and provides funding to local authorities and approved housing bodies. If the local authorities or approved housing bodies come forward with priorities, be that direct build, acquisition or void turnaround the Government will provide the funding. As I said, the Government has already funded 700 direct acquisition and construction projects. Over 10,000 housing units will be provided via capital and current projects. The Deputy needs to acknowledge that. We are using every avenue available to us to address this issue. The provision of modular homes is an additional initiative to try to accommodate people in emergency accommodation as soon as possible. I agree with the Deputy that the cost per modular house is expensive but, as I said, we are paying a premium in that regard because of the speed of delivery with which these houses need to be delivered. It is another option of delivering houses, on top of the many others we are working on.

I ask for the Deputy's help in this area. We need greater support from councillors for projects put before them under the Part VIII arrangement and to have those projects delivered as quickly as possible.

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