Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Social Democrats.

I was struck this week by information on Twitter, which showcased the high ratio of Airbnb vacancies as against advertised rental vacancies. One of the users mapped these figures and showed that County Kerry has the highest ratio in the entire country, with 1,959 vacancies on Airbnb yet only 34 advertisements on Daft.

My colleagues have spoken about the measures required to move suitable properties and I understand there are planning enforcements happening. My party's charge on non-primary residents can also play a role, if it is to be implemented.

In relation to the €450 million, there are things that could be done to divert land, labour and capital. In the past, it has been diverted away from proper housing. We see all the craftspeople, builders and contractors leaving Kerry every day. They should be used to deal with the housing crisis, including, for example, the 15-year waiting lists in Kerry, particularly the newer houses that are needed west of Dingle in the Gaeltacht.

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