Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

It appears from the Tánaiste's comments that he is not aware of how seriously the housing disaster is affecting people. Is he not aware that Dublin is the most expensive capital city in the European Union in which to rent according to the OECD and EUROSTAT? Since this Government took office, rents and house prices have reached record levels, as have the number of people living in emergency accommodation for homeless people and the number of people in their 20s and 30s still living in their childhood bedrooms. At the same time, rates of home ownership continue to fall. Despite all of this, the Government has somehow failed to spend almost €500 million allocated for housing in the first nine months of this year. It is little surprise then that the Government will not meet any of the targets it set itself for the delivery of social, affordable or cost-rental homes. Does the Tánaiste accept that renting is more affordable in Paris, Berlin, Rome or any other European capital city than it is Dublin?

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