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

We have to work very hard with local authorities to help them to deliver faster on the land they own. I agree with this and I have made and restated that point here. It is a priority for me as Minister. The Deputy mentioned the Oscar Traynor Road site. Four times, that site has gone out for expressions of interest. It is a fine plot of ground that could house hundreds of people. It is frustrating for me when I see these things taking so long.

The Deputy mentioned the serviced sites fund. The fund can be used better and to better effect. The concept behind it is good. It uses State-owned lands to enable people to buy affordable homes, with an equity stake as well within elements of it. We will look at other options. We will look at options around affordable purchase and affordable rental, which has not been mentioned yet this evening. We are well advanced in publishing a national affordable rental plan. This is what is needed. We will have a pilot this year. The Enniskerry Road scheme, which was announced in 2015, is not yet concluded or tenanted. It is about getting on and doing things and helping people to get onto the housing ladder with permanent housing solutions.

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