Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the excellent Sinn Féin spokesperson on housing, Deputy Ó Broin, for highlighting this. In saying that, I do not want to give the impression I would give Sinn Féin a blank cheque of support. While I very much appreciate Sinn Féin's fighting on and dedication to the housing problem we have, I would never be two-faced about anything and I have concerns about some aspects of what Sinn Féin is proposing because I am afraid it will hunt and put out people involved in the housing sector.

Why do I say that? It is not just Sinn Féin. For instance look at the taxation levied on people who provide housing in the private sector. The fact is that €1,000 in rent becomes €480 because €520 of that goes on tax. When I see houses being sold out of the private sector, I am fearful this will lead to situations whereby there is less housing available to the people who need to rent. Renting is not a long-term solution. I would like to see it used as a short-term solution and that the State would provide more and more housing. That is the answer.

I acknowledge that Sinn Féin recognises there is a place for the private sector but we want more to be provided by the State. One thing we should be looking at - and for God's sake why can we not do it? - is the possibility that local people could have a site made available by an aunt, an uncle or a parent. It would not necessarily be that such people were that son or daughter of the farmer who would be going to work on the farm but they could be from the farm. What is wrong with such people living on that farm if they have an affordable site and if they have the wherewithal to build a house on their own land? We should be trying to encourage every type of housing. Local authorities in the past built a thing called a single rural cottage. They are as scarce as hen's teeth now. In the county where I am from, John O'Donoghue from Farranfore was an excellent overseer in the housing department who built hundreds of local authority houses for people who are happily living in those houses today. Where has that option gone? It has gone from our system. Those houses were built for people in rural areas and went down from generation to generation. They started off as council houses that people were then able to buy. Was that not brilliant? That is what we want.

We have to fight this issue. I was only thinking this today because I met numerous cases yesterday of people who are living in houses they are renting. They are being told the rent will go up to €1,500 or €2,000 a month. That is not real money. That is insane money for anybody to have to pay on rent. Even with a rent support - whether it is housing assistance payment, HAP, or any other type of support - that is not real. That type of money is funny money. No house should be at that price; that is just wrong. We have to have affordable rents but at the same time, you should not put out the people who are providing that. One thing that will be thrown at me is that I did not declare an interest. I have an interest in this but all that shows is that I know what I am talking about.

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