Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am afraid I do not have those figures available to me at the moment, so it is impossible for me to comment on them. I know Deputy Connolly has raised the housing task force for Galway city and county before. When we calculate how much social housing is being provided, we need to recognise that there are many different ways in which social housing can be built and provided. I do not mean the housing assistance payment, HAP, and the rental accommodation scheme, RAS; I mean social housing where somebody has a long-term tenancy and the security of a roof over their head. Sometimes it is houses and apartments built directly by local authorities. At other times it is through approved housing bodies. That is particularly the case in my constituency. Sometimes they are purchased on the market. Sometimes they are leased long term. Increasingly now, they are being constructed by the Land Development Agency. As somebody who has had the privilege of attending the opening of many of these developments and seeing people getting their keys and moving into these homes, they are not particularly concerned about what mechanism is used. What they want to know is that they are getting a house with a long-term lease that gives them security and a roof over their head. We should always bear that in mind.

Today, the Cabinet approved the publication of the new planning and development Bill, one which I recommend to the House. We believe that will help a lot. A huge number of housing developments get held up in the planning system and then in the courts. This comprehensive reform of our planning legislation will mean more developments getting through planning quicker, whether it is social housing or private housing, and that can help to alleviate the housing crisis.

When it comes to social housing in the round, last year more social housing was provided than in any year since the 1970s and we anticipate an even higher figure again this year. We will not know that figure until some time next year, but we anticipate an even higher figure again this year, which is welcome.

Again, there are some very encouraging signs on home ownership. About 700 individuals and couples are getting mortgage approval for their first home every week. That is the highest we have seen since the Celtic tiger period. Some 400 or 500 individuals and couples are purchasing their first home every week. I wish we had seen that sooner but it is really good to see it happening now.

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