Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The figures on homelessness released yesterday were once again pretty shocking. It is hard to credit that things are still getting worse. Despite the fact that the bulk of this Government has been in power for nearly six years at this stage, things still continue to worsen. I heard the Minister on the radio this morning talking about the rapid-build housing units that were supposed to be the most immediate fix to the problems of homelessness.

While his Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness in June said 200 more such units would be completed by the end of the year, we now understand that is unlikely to happen. The Minister said he has instructed the CEOs of the four Dublin local authorities that he wants 320 units under way by the end of the year.

It is a little bit rich for the Minister to attack the local authorities when the procurement process in the Department seems to be still in the dark ages. It appears to take up to 18 months, and it can take 24 months, for approval for social housing schemes to be put together. I do not know whether it is due to money or drawings but there is an unbelievable delay.

Will the Minister issue a directive to his officials to fast-track the procurement process as that would make a significant difference? There is a major lag in the system and there does not appear to be any attempt to address it. I wonder sometimes whether the money is there at all or if the delay is just due to bureaucracy.

Outside Dublin, there is great potential to build between five and 25 units on small sites throughout the country if the paperwork could be done and the finance could be put in place. There is no end to the number of small and medium-sized builders who would be prepared to build those units. The builders are available and they are not seeking to make crazy money on the projects.

I am amazed by the scheme the Government introduced to provide a subsidy for qualifying buyers of new homes. It seems to be a direct subsidy to the developer rather than to the individual. The Minister said this morning that he hopes to encourage the private sector to get more involved. A carrot such as the subsidy is obviously part of the encouragement. However, one cannot dictate when the private sector will engage with the market, as it will do so when it suits. That is normal, that is business, but the State must take a more direct, hands-on approach if it wants houses built quickly. Direct build is the shortest route to putting houses in place in order that we can bring an end to the housing crisis and tackle the homelessness crisis. The notion of depending on the private sector to solve all the problems is the stuff of fairy tales and it will not happen.

Will the Minister of State indicate whether there are any answers to the delay in the procurement process in the Department itself and why it is taking so long to make progress? Surely, given that it is an emergency, emergency measures must be taken in that area as well?

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