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

I thank the Deputy for raising what I have repeatedly raised in this House, and since I became Taoiseach one year and a half ago, that housing is the single most important social issue facing our country at this time. It is an enormous challenge that goes to the heart of cohesion within society and above all of giving younger generations, in particular, the opportunity to own their homes, to be able to buy homes at an affordable rate and to be able to rent at an affordable rate. In addition to that, for those who are not in a position due to income and so forth we must provide a sufficient supply of public housing to enable people to get housing at a social-housing level. That is why Housing for All represents a step change in housing policy. It is a whole-of-Government approach to increasing supply significantly and getting more houses built annually.

We were stymied and knocked back a bit due to Covid-19 in terms of the two lockdowns experienced in 2020 and 2021, but we have bounced back well in terms of construction. The good news is that up to 30,000 commencements have been recorded in the 12 months up to last September. That is very positive news. The momentum is there, as is the pipeline. Supply is important in ensuring affordability and an adequacy of housing availability across all the different models. Housing for All allows for cost rental, affordable homes, social housing, as well as private sector investment which we need. Housing for All estimates that we will need approximately €10 billion per annum of private investment in addition to the State investment of €4 billion per annum. This is an unprecedented approach to housing but we need everybody on board. I was struck by this and said it to the Deputy yesterday. When we sanctioned at Cabinet the O'Devaney Gardens project yesterday, it is an illustration of what is holding back housing policy in this country-----

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