Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not accept the assertions of Deputy Adams. He is well aware that in the so-called boom times up to 90,000 houses were built per year, and the figures collapsed to fewer than 10,000. This is the most comprehensive and significant investment in the history of the State in terms of dealing with construction, housing and homelessness. The plan also includes mortgages, renters, voided units, ghost estates and so on.

This is a genuine attempt, taking into account the views right across the spectrum, of the Government to drive this process so that people can have a home and a roof over their head, so that they do not have to be in bed and breakfasts or hotel rooms and so that those who are on the streets are looked after, but also there is an opportunity to provide affordable houses for those who need them and opportunities for local authorities to deal with the situation.

I served on a council myself many years ago and at that stage it was building more houses than were required both in isolated areas and in towns, but councils lost the ability to provide houses in numbers for people. Housing associations do a good job, but it is about time county councils got back into the business of providing houses. They have been given the money, the opportunities and the incentives to open sites that are currently off limits, and they must get on with the job. This is a challenge for everybody. It is a real priority for the Government. This is the biggest investment in the history of the State in this area.

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