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

On cost rental, in particular, I wish to follow on from Deputy Ó Broin. The Minister will know that the fourth quarter daft.iereport has shown that in Dublin, it is approximately 89% more expensive to rent than to purchase a home if one is able to get a mortgage. In some areas, it is three times more expensive to rent. That is why cost rental is important.

With regard to St. Michael's Estate specifically, there was a public announcement that I welcomed on progressing the work on the estate with the agreement of residents and the campaign group. My colleague, Senator Ardagh, has been heavily involved with residents. What is now happening with St. Michael's Estate? Has the Minister a timeline for the completion of the initial phase in the estate? There seems to be some frustration on the ground based on the view that very little has happened or that there has been very little engagement with residents since the announcement the Minister made. Is there any truth in the rumour that there has been a change in the Minister's policy and position on St. Michael's Estate due to the intervention of the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne. Is the Minister still committed to the cost rental model at St. Michael's Estate? What is the timeframe now? What can we say to residents in the area regarding what is happening at St. Michael's, Inchicore?

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