Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are in a situation at the moment where demand consistently outstrips supply. This puts upward pressure on house prices and rent. The Minister mentioned in the past number of questions high expenditure in terms of capital. We need to look at the reality on the ground as well. People cannot afford housing or rents. Again today the Central Bank has said that house prices will rise further because of the shortage of affordable housing. Obviously, this is great news for the developers, bankers and investment funds but it is bad news for ordinary families and workers.

I am concerned. The NDP anticipates a further 1 million additional people living here in the coming 20 years. That is great news but I am struggling to see how we are going to house people or have affordable housing for people under the current model. I do not believe there is the ambition to follow through.

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