Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy raises a very important point. We want all local authorities to build under the affordable housing programme using the local authority affordable housing fund. We will encourage all local authorities, including that in Mayo, to put applications to the Department and we are very receptive of that. The original assessment was based on whether a second-hand house for sale within a local authority area was at a level deemed to be affordable. In the case of some of the local authorities, that is what arose but at the moment, we are looking at designing specific targets for local authorities.

However, the message is loud and clear, and I have been to all the local authorities. They wish to build affordable houses and we want them to go into the cost-rental market as well. We want them to put applications into the Department. Setting targets is something we are looking at as well, but we have a proactive model in place.

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