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

That is the scheme the Minister has not yet delivered. We had to drag €310 million out of a kicking and screaming Fine Gael. People are interested in knowing when they can apply and buy affordable homes. While the Rebuilding Ireland affordable home loan is a welcome product, I have said that publicly before, it does not deliver affordability in itself. It is an affordable product but it does not do anything vis-à-vishouse prices, as the Minister is aware. It is not an affordability measure as such but helps people make affordable repayments. We are talking about affordable homes and a shared ownership arrangement with an equity stake held by the State, particularly on State-owned land. That is what we have been driving for.

I understand that nine local authorities have responded to the initial call. How advanced are those specific landbanks? I would welcome the Minister publishing the draft regulations in order that we can debate them here in the Dáil with input from all parties. This is a major part of the housing crisis. People are consigned and condemned to a rip-off rental market with no hope whatsoever of ever owning their own home. That is the situation for a whole generation of people. We will work with anyone to deliver a scheme that works, including schemes that have worked in the past but can be improved upon. I seek a timeframe. As I said, I will work with the Minister to deliver it and to get this scheme launched this year.

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