Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

We absolutely need affordable housing for those on average incomes. This is what is needed. We have reasons to be concerned that this is not what will happen. The Minister and the Government have given us those reasons because there has been talk about price limits for affordable apartments of up to €500,000. There has been talk of cost rental being set at a 25% discount off the full market rate, whereas in other countries it is done on a not-for-profit basis and it is much more affordable than that. We keep on getting references to affordable housing being a discount on the full market price. We have a lot to be concerned about here. The legislation contains all sorts of references to private sector delivery. There are also references to the shared equity scheme, which is a subsidy for private developers. Everything is indicating that we are not going to get the affordable houses needed for those people who cannot afford the full market rates and who would not be eligible for social housing. A huge number of people are stuck renting in that area who need this to work and need it to be delivered. I have not heard from the Minister why the draft regulations have not been published. We have been looking for them for quite some time. The Oireachtas joint committee unanimously asked for the regulations to be published alongside the legislation so that we could see the context on it. I must have misunderstood this previously from interactions with the Minister. I had understood that he intended to do that. I must have been wrong on that. I do not understand why the draft regulations have not been published. Where are they? When can we see them? When will we have transparency and oversight over them?

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