Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Taoiseach yesterday, that what we will see in the housing for all strategy, which will be published shortly, is a change in how we do leasing arrangements and a recognition this is not the approach we want to take as we develop a new housing for all strategy. It will change. There are 2,450 units projected in this year's target and a direct build target of 9,500 units. A percentage of the leased units would be in mortgage to rent and repair and lease schemes, of which approximately one third of those houses already leased so far this year are part. It is not that a lease arrangement, repair and lease or mortgage to rent may have a role to play in every single instance, and I think other parties have recognised that, but we need to change the policy and approach. Whether that is in much longer leases, with ownership reverting to the local authority, or other such arrangements, that is what will be set out in the housing for all strategy.

My recollection during the implementation of this short-term measure to avoid what happened in Maynooth and other locations, in which large volumes of housing estates where bought up, was there was a clear indication and signal at that time, for example, with regard to direct provision, social housing or such policy areas where we want to see an immediate response in supply this year, that we would look to try to take a different approach in such categories.

However, these are short-term, emergency measures to address a particular problem. The key thing we need to get right now is the new housing for all strategy and a different approach to housing. Yes, we need additional social housing and, critically in my mind, additional cost rental and affordable housing for purchase. Critically, it is not all about the numbers. It is about where the housing is going, to make sure we get transport-led development housing close to new public transport systems. We need more balanced regional developments in order that it is not just all pressure on Dublin. My constituency and Deputy Murphy's are some of the areas in which some of the worst increases in rent have occurred and the biggest problems exist.

In this new housing for all strategy, there will be much stronger State engagement, including the use of public lands and the Land Development Agency, to provide social and affordable housing, as was agreed in recent amendments to the affordable housing legislation. No one is saying the current leasing arrangement is something we think is the future. We have a legacy issue here and targets and an immediate issue in that certain contracts have to be delivered upon, but the key change coming was signalled by the Taoiseach yesterday and is one I agree with.

See this speech in context