Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I ask Deputies to cast their minds back to 2012 when many reports were being published on the sorry state of the economy and property market at the time. One report issued a severe warning to the property sector that it could take more than 40 years to deal with the oversupply of housing unless we started bulldozing houses. The report stated: "Barring a sudden and sizeable recovery in Irish net migration, or the politically controversial policy of demolishing large volumes of housing stock, housing oversupply will remain a feature for many years, possibly decades, to come". I note this to demonstrate the way in which housing challenges have completely transformed in the past five years. The challenge of empty houses has been replaced with under-supply and the required supply increase takes time to implement.

Tackling the housing and homelessness crisis will take considerable time. Contrary to what has been said by some commentators, there is no instant answer to the problem or one that fits into a soundbite. I raise this matter now because I want this debate on housing to be informed and different. The election is over and I want to stick to the facts in the housing market, as it stands, rather than being politically defensive. I also want to be as helpful and productive as possible to the incoming Minister with responsibility for housing who may well be in the Chamber.

In short, the position is simply that the construction sector is not building anywhere near the number of residential units required in a country with a growing population and an even faster growing economy. Developers in urban areas are not playing an active part in delivering the units we need. This is putting upward pressure on rents, thus condemning a generation to rent expensively priced properties as they struggle to save deposits and are unable to purchase a home. This sharp increase in rents is pushing vulnerable persons into emergency accommodation. While a solid foundation has been laid to ensure these developments are temporary as opposed to permanent features of the housing market, it will take an equal commitment from all sides of the political debate to deal with the issue.

Based on the housing manifestos produced during the election, all of which I studied, no political entity, individual or party has all the answers. I do not have time to go through all of the documents today, but if any Deputy believes he or she has an instant answer, I hope he or she will lay it before the House today. Perhaps they might remain stuck to the narrative of blame. We can have hope and while it will take time to do so, we can deliver for people. We have all been elected to this Dáil to act in the interests of the country. The time for sitting on the fence and opposing everything must come to an end. With election to this House comes responsibility and those waiting on a home will not thank those Deputies who shout, rant and roar instead of engaging in a constructive attempt to actively solve housing supply problems.

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