Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support what my colleagues have said. The average rent in Dublin is over €1,500 per month, up 56% on 2012. Rents are out of most people's reach as are mortgages on homes. We must use public land better. Public investment in public land is a real part of the solution to our housing problem. Between Shanganah and St. Michael's in Inchicore over 800 units could be delivered. That is more social housing than the Department delivered in all of last year. These are two very significant sites. I know the Minister of State wants to get moving but it is taking far too long. I urge the Minister of State to see where Government stands.

My colleagues have spoken about the mix of housing, rental and affordable. There is no affordable housing scheme. The Oscar Traynor Road, Irish Glass Bottle and O'Devaney Gardens sites are held up because Government has not proceeded with an affordable housing scheme. These are two particular estates that could be worked on quickly. I had the pleasure of meeting the community in St. Michael's Estate, Inchicore with Senator Ardagh. It has been badly let down through the PPP model. There is a strong desire there for new homes for new families which it is fantastic to see when in many other instances people object to new homes for new families. Even Ministers in this Government have done that recently. I ask the Minister of State to strongly consider what has been put forward today across parties, to publicly fund these two schemes, get them up and running, off the ground and deliver homes for new communities.

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