Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Under Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, the Housing Agency recently purchased 29 houses in one estate in Cúirt na hAbhainn in Claregalway. This is a very sought-after village with a very high demand for housing. While I acknowledge there is a crisis with people looking for social housing, there is also a crisis with people looking to get on the property ladder. What chance has a young couple to buy a NAMA-owned house when they cannot even get the opportunity to bid on one? Will the Tánaiste give a commitment that some of these houses will be put on the open market so young couples can have an opportunity to bid on them to try to get on the property ladder? It is not right that these houses are bought en bloc. Young couples, who are staying at home with their parents despite having young children, are trying to get into the property market but they cannot do so, given the Housing Agency is coming in and buying up houses en bloc. It is not just in Claregalway and it has happened in Athenry and other places. There must be some route whereby young people can also bid on these houses.

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