Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Last year, the ESRI, in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, published important research on housing affordability. While it was found that overall 32% of renters and mortgage holders were having affordability issues, in the bottom 25% of income earners, it was found that 75% of those households were struggling with rent and mortgages. That demonstrates the scale of the problem. The research also clearly identified that this was not a recent phenomenon but something in place since approximately 2002, the date to which the research dated. We need to hear as well when these units will be delivered. For example, could we start to have annual targets, as we already have with social housing, for cost rental and affordable purchase? Could that also be broken down by local authority?

We need to start knowing the prices as well. For instance, we are hearing the price for Enniskerry Road will be 80% of market rent. That is nowhere close to affordable for the income brackets outlined in the new affordable housing scheme. The Minister might also clarify another issue I am concerned about. I welcome the affordable housing scheme the Minister is going to publish. Will it, however, only deal with purchase and not cost rental? My understanding is that local authority managers would like some clarity on that matter as well. At this stage, we would like to know when the units will be ready, what local authority areas will they be in and what will the price be to rent and buy.

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