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

Housing does not come across and there is a reason for it. The dashboard goes through the issues on housing. The indicators state Ireland comes out relatively well in terms of trend over time and international comparisons, but this has to be put in the context of data availability and demand. It is far more nuanced. New dwelling completions have been increasing consistently over the past seven years and they will increase substantially again, but we need to be closer to 33,000 units a year.

One of the big issues in housing that people have referenced regarding the current situation in emergency accommodation is that, in recent months, the number of international asylum seekers has increased beyond prediction. This is separate from the Ukrainian situation. It is putting a strain on emergency accommodation that was not anticipated. The estimate in the report of Dr. Catherine Day in respect of direct provision was approximately 3,500. We will be well beyond that and the number could go to 9,000 or 12,000 before the end of the year. This is creating its own pressures. Within the European Union there are pressures. The Deputy can nod all he likes but there are other issues.

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