Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is a huge disappointment for people who voted for change to see Fianna Fáil in charge of the housing portfolio. I agree with Fine Gael's assessment in a 2019 report in which it described Fianna Fáil's housing proposals as lacking any credibility. That was a bit rich coming from Fine Gael, given that Deputy Eoghan Murphy proved to be both unfit and out of his depth as Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. The programme for Government agreed by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party can be summed up in one sentence, namely, that there is nothing to see here. This is especially true in regard to affordable housing. There are no targets for the delivery of affordable homes or affordable rental properties. The Government seems to be clueless as to what affordable housing is or the cost of an affordable house.

This is a kick in the teeth to young people and families wanting to own their own homes. Clearly, this Government will continue to dither in delivering the affordable cost rental scheme that was first announced in 2014. It is proving almost impossible for many people to get onto the property ladder as most rents and property prices are beyond their means. I know of a one-bedroom apartment in Ballymun renting for €1,6000, which is absolutely scandalous. A three-bedroom semi-detached house with two bathrooms in Drumcondra is on sale for €845,000. A semi-detached house in Artane with three bedrooms and two bathrooms is selling for €545,000, and a similar property in Whitehall is on sale for €540,000. Such prices put the prospect of owning a house beyond the reach of most people in my constituency. The Government needs to look at the example of Ó Cualann, a voluntary housing body that is building three-bedroom affordable homes in Ballymun and selling them for between €170,000 and just over €200,000. Why can the Government not do the same and replicate it across the country?

I have no faith in this Government implementing an affordable housing and rental scheme, just as the previous Government, which Fianna Fáil supported, did not deliver any affordable homes to rent or buy through any Government scheme. The Minister mentioned the Part V provisions and the retention of the 10% requirement. The fact is that his party reduced the original provision from 20% to 10%. He supported that reduction together with his Fine Gael colleagues.

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