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

We will take measures to force vacant units back into use and, more important, to force zoned land into use. The Ministers for Finance and Housing, Local Government and Heritage are working on that specific point.

I agree additional measures will have to be taken, over and above what we have done. We are constantly at this in respect of adding capacity and trying to get more houses built, and that will continue. Income thresholds will be increased by the end of the year with regard to social housing. That will not increase supply. It will help people in certain circumstances to access social housing but it will not necessarily increase supply.

The LDA is working on private developments that are not taking off or starting with a view to going in itself and making sure that we can get them started and get houses built. That is happening and those engagements have started. Anywhere we can see opportunities to get houses built, we will get them built. We need everybody's co-operation from hereon in. That is very important. I do not say it in any flippant or partisan way. It is just absolutely essential that we allow projects through and get them up and running.

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