Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The last time I checked, approximately 9% of housing was local authority stock. The current figures indicate that local authorities built 2,022 houses and AHBs built 1,388, giving a total of 4,251. However, there are 70,000 people on the waiting list. Approximately 20 social houses Wexford were built in 2018. That does not come close to dealing with the problem.

As I stated previously, I was very disheartened when the Government came up with the idea of the Land Development Agency. It was soul destroying. I do not understand why the Government would turn over State land to developers. The sites will provide 10% social housing and 60% private housing. The Government states that 30% will be affordable housing, but the average price of those properties will be approximately €330,000, which is unaffordable for most people. I do not understand the rationale behind that policy. If the Government thinks local authorities are unable to deliver housing, why does it not make them fit for purpose? Are they out of control? Has the Government no handle on them? I would like to think that the Government could sort out any local authorities that are not fit for purpose. If that task is beyond it, we are in trouble.

At a Dublin economics workshop less than a year ago, Mr. Niall Cussen, the head planner in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, said in response to a question on social housing that we will not be building social housing at scale and that we have tried it before. He was the head of housing. That is a bit scary.

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