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

The Deputy will not hear anybody on this side of the House defending any level of homelessness and certainly not the level we are currently experiencing in our country. As a Government, we are responding with the largest investment ever in the history of the State and we will deliver approximately 10,500 public and social homes this year, of which 9,000 will be new builds. As the Deputy knows, we are rolling out for the first time cost-rental homes as well and it is great to see that happening. We will have new affordable housing options coming on stream in July in the form of the first home shared equity scheme as well.

It is a very challenging picture that we face. There is significant inbound migration with people seeking international protection separate from the whole issue of Ukrainian refugees coming to Ireland. That is placing pressure on the system. The answer ultimately is to build more homes and increase supply and that is what we are doing.

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