Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome the Ukrainian representatives to the House. I share Deputy Bacik's view about the level of priority that this must be afforded. The Government is investing a record amount of money and that has to be translated into the delivery of homes. Ultimately, what will make a difference here is the breadth of different types of tenure and making progress on that. This includes cost rental, which is a very welcome innovation in Ireland. It is good to see individual schemes coming on stream now. There will also be affordable purchase schemes, including in Cork city, coming on stream in the coming weeks. That is very welcome. Private supply is increasing as well. We are investing in tackling voids. We had over 5,200 exits from homelessness over 2021.

Additional local authority homes are being brought on stream, with more than 6,000 delivered across 2020 and 2021 via the voids programme. A further 2,000 homes will be remediated this year.

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