Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate Deputy Guirke on his maiden speech. Time was when a Deputy might go for a few pints after a maiden speech, but unfortunately it will not happen, not today. Hopefully in the future the Deputy will get that opportunity.

The social housing waiting lists have been falling. They have fallen to below 70,000 from above 90,000 over the course of Rebuilding Ireland. However, we have farther to go. The rental situation will change after we come out of this emergency. This is because of the amount of new accommodation that has come onto the market - that will stay - and because of other things that are happening in the sector.

The Deputy asked about planning. Planning is the reason it is taking a little longer to build houses these days. We cannot afford to build houses without building all the other community facilities that have to be put in place as well. We do not want to strand people in homes without communities. That is why we have to get the planning right. That is why it sometimes takes a little longer. Anyway, my commitment is to social housing. That is why people are on sites today in Meath. The sites in Meath are among almost 40 sites that have been sanctioned through the Housing Agency for workers to get back on site to finish those homes. All our Part V commitments are in place, unless the Deputy has heard otherwise. That is one stream. It is an important part of the social housing delivery stream. It is not everything though. Obviously, there are housing bodies and local authorities as well.

We have put in place a three-month break for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan. No interest is being charged during that period so it will not cost people any more to avail of the break. It is available for people who have had any difficulty since Covid-19 emerged in the public discourse. It is not set back to a particular date. It can be extended again by three months if necessary.

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