Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

When launching Croí Cónaithe last year, the then Taoiseach described the scheme to advance the delivery of new apartments as a crucial strand in the Government's housing response. A Department of Public Expenditure and Reform document tells a very different story. It warns that the size of the initiative is too small, too complex, and has had a low take-up from developers. It also reveals a staggering capital underspend of €1 billion in the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage's 2022 budget, with social and affordable housing output well below target. Just 6,500 of the 9,000 social homes promised will be delivered and the affordable homes delivered will be 78% short of the 4,100 promised. This is the third year the Government has missed its public housing targets and failed to spend capital budget allocations. When will we see the very necessary emergency response to the housing crisis?

See this speech in context