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

Substantial protections for renters have been put in place under the legislation that I outlined already. In the budget, we gave additional resources through the tax credit for renters which is beneficial. Over half of all new purchases this year were by first-time buyers, which illustrates the importance of the help-to-buy scheme and the first home scheme, which were opposed by many in this House on the Opposition side. Yet, both those schemes have helped significantly in enabling people buy their house for the first time and in terms of affordability. The issue ultimately is to build more homes of all types. The focus must be on more social homes, more affordable homes and more cost rental into the future. That means schemes like the one in Shanganagh. I hope Labour will support the upcoming planning and development foreshore (amendment) Bill which makes amendments in respect of An Bord Pleanála. There will also be an amendment in there to facilitate rapid-build social houses on public land. There will be an emergency provision enabling the Minister to do it and to accelerate the planning. I hope that we will get the support of Deputy Bacik and her party on that.

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