Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

If Deputy Michael Healy-Rae owns houses, I suppose I have to declare an interest because I am his brother. I am thankful for the opportunity to talk about this important topic.

I do not believe the Government when it said funding would not be an obstacle. I believe it is. I have my reasons. I have spelled them out here at different times. We have nearly 40 or 50 people waiting for rural cottages to be built. The people have their own sites but the local authority does not have the funding or the ability to give them the green light.

With regard to social housing, the Department is holding matters up. There are four stages of approval. Private developers are finding it very hard to gain access to funding. There are so many levies and obstacles to be overcome.

I am aware of one developer who is trying to start building houses for a voluntary housing group. The process has been going on since the summer with one thing after another. If it is not Irish Water requiring matters to be dealt with, there is duplication between the local authority and all the other agencies. There are so many problems. The Department is also involved. There is so much red tape. One would have the houses built while there is all this paper and pen pushing. Something must be done to unblock that.

In addition, funding must be made available to private builders. There is a shortage of supply. People are complaining about the cost of rent and how rents are increasing. The lowest rent in Killarney is €1,300 per month. People cannot find that type of money. It should also be realised that the Government is taking 50% of what most of the landlords are getting in rent per month. They are paying 50% tax and something must be done about that if we want rents to decrease.

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