James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I refer to page 21 of the programme for Government and the commitment to improving housing supply. The Tánaiste, when Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, made a promise that there would be nobody in emergency accommodation by July 2017. Two years on, the numbers have increased at a demoralising rate. One of the causes is the Government's obsession with bureaucracy. Housing estates that are planning approved, shovel ready and agreed with housing bodies to be supplied for social housing are at a standstill because Irish Water is holding up the issuance of a letter of offer by five, six and seven months, even in cases where there is agreement in place with Irish Water. This is the case in Wexford, and no doubt elsewhere. When will the Government address this issue of delays?

See this speech in context