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

I understand that and it is highly unlikely any affordable housing will be delivered this year. That is why I on behalf of my party, Fianna Fáil, have put affordable housing at the centre of our budget discussion and as a policy priority.

I want to ask the Minister about the €50 million in the local infrastructure housing activation fund, LIHAF, that he has said he is allocating in this respect, increasing the potential funding to €100 million. I take it he is proposing there would be €100 million in the fund next year, which obviously has yet to be agreed in the context of the budget. I impress on him again the urgency of this matter. People who are working, have good jobs, pay taxes and pay high rents cannot attain their dream of owning a home and they are becoming increasingly frustrated and angry at this stage. Therefore, delivery needs to happen. The Minister had a target of building 500 houses this year but that will not be met; probably zero will be delivered. Houses must be delivered on an affordable basis next year. People need to see progress. That is what we in Fianna Fáil will be insisting upon. Will the Minister confirm again that €50 million funding in LIHAF will be added on top of the money in that fund for next year? Will he give a commitment he will name the two local authorities that did not respond to his call and that they will have to say why they did not?

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