Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is my intention at this point that HBFI would primarily be focused on the private sector. The rationale behind this thinking is that in dealing with approved housing bodies and local authorities, my experience is that the issue they face is not the rate of interest on the credit they need. In many cases the funding they need is provided directly by the Exchequer. For this reason, my current thinking is that HBFI will be primarily focused on the private sector. However, in the course of the Bill's passage through the House, if Members have suggestions as to how this might be amended or if it needs wider breadth to deal with the long-term objective of increasing housing supply, I will be open to dealing with Deputy Michael McGrath and others on that point.

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