Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

While the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government is constantly developing strategies for the delivery of housing for social housing applicants, an issue arises. Local authorities have been directed to purchase houses at all prices. When will the Taoiseach direct the local authorities to focus on building? I have seen cases where private individuals were outbid by the local authority. I have been assured by some of those individuals that if they went to the bank to ask for a larger mortgage to outbid the council, the bank would not agree to give them a loan for the purchase of the house. The local authorities have an open cheque. Does the Taoiseach believe this represents value for money? When will he be in a position to direct the local authorities to build as opposed to buying houses in tranquil, settled estates that have already complied with Part 5? There are issues arising. When can we see a change of emphasis from building to buying?

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