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

I want to follow up on what has been said about the timeframe for the affordable housing scheme. As the Minister knows, one of Fianna Fáil's major requests with regard to the housing budget prior to budget 2019 was that an affordable housing scheme would be established. Since 2012, house prices have exploded by approximately 90%. The average house price in Dublin is approximately €368,000, which is six and a half times the average household income. This shows that an affordable housing scheme for working people is urgently needed, especially in our urban centres. Such a scheme would be of particular benefit to first-time buyers because it would give them some hope. I am trying to get a handle on whether the Government has set a delivery target for 2019. I understand that it takes time to get sites. I also understand that a number of local authorities responded to the first call, although some of them did not. Questions need to be asked about why some of them did not respond to the call for housing.

I want to get some specific targets and timelines regarding when we will see delivery of affordable homes for working people.

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