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

The Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has outlined the scheme in great detail. It will cost more than €2.2 billion, over a protracted period admittedly, because not all the houses will come on stream together. The scheme has been expanded in an unprecedented way to cover rental properties as well. There has to be a framework. Decisions have to be taken. All of the upfront costs, which originally, householders had to take on board, will now be dealt with by the Housing Agency. There is €20,000 being allocated to cover rent and storage. This is a far more expansive scheme than its predecessor. That should be acknowledged. I believe we now need to get on with doing the work.

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