Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Ireland's housing crisis could last for another decade unless the Government takes a range of measures to speed up the supply of affordable homes and social housing. Other than dealing with Brexit, it is the largest and most pressing public policy challenge that Ireland faces. If people were honest about this, then we might be able to develop a solution which would actually work and produce houses rather than hot air. There is an obvious uplift in house building in many parts of Dublin west, including in Carpenterstown, Ongar, Hansfield, Porterstown and Hollystown, which is welcome.

However, it should be borne in mind that this area, along with the Dublin north area, is one of the few areas in the State where a significant number of houses have begun to be built. In terms of the total national demand, however, it is a drop in the ocean. There remains a massive pent-up demand which was obvious when anxious purchasers - Members might remember this because it was only a few weeks ago - were prepared to queue up for days when new homes in Hansfield went up for sale. For those on the housing list, the situation is even graver as the supply of social housing lags behind with only a limited number of houses under construction in association with approved housing bodies. I admire the work of approved housing bodies and, even more particularly, of housing co-operatives. However, the scale of building required is simply not there. These bodies are excellent.

I have been at launches of 50 homes. I see Ministers now being photographed at the launch of one home. It is great news but there is no scale to it. We need to be talking about tens of thousands of homes. This is the core of the Government's problem. I do not know if it is an ideological problem for Fine Gael. I suspect it is that Fine Gael has a problem with renting on a lifetime basis and with social housing. I grew up in a rented home along with my family until I was in my 20s. I know that is not the experience of most Members. Until relatively recently, however, it was the experience of tens of thousands of families. Properly supervised and properly maintained, whether by housing association, the owner or the local authority, it works really well.

Sites can only be developed if infrastructure, such as roads, water, sewerage, and electricity, is in place. Fingal County Council has received funding to develop three areas in my area which will enable approximately 2,800 houses to be built. Parts of Ballymun and Finglas require roughly the same number of houses.

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