Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will know, the Government will not oppose the Bill tomorrow. The Government wants to work with the Deputy's party in respect of the legislation it is bringing forward tomorrow to deal with the leasing issue. The leasing issue is not the dominant form of house provision. As I mentioned earlier, in terms of institutional investment and to give a sense of perspective, 5% of all rental tenancies and 1% of the existing housing stock is owned by institutional investment. There is need for balance in this area. In terms of affordability, as referenced, last February Fingal County Council announced its first affordable housing scheme in 11 years, the Dun Emer scheme, which will provide 51 homes, of which 39 will be affordable housing and 12 will be social housing. The scheme is a mix of two-bedroom apartments at €166,000 and not €450,000; three-bedroom duplexes at €206,000; three-bedroom terraced houses from €250,000; and three-bedroom semi-detached houses from €258,000. A range of affordable schemes will emerge from the initiatives taken in this area by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien.

On Part V housing, the preference of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is not that leasing would be the dominant form of that provision. That is the policy position.

See this speech in context