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

The approach we are taking to vacancy is one of carrot and stick. On one hand, we have, for example, grants that people can avail up to bring old buildings back into use. There are already 4,000 applications in for that scheme already. We also set up a fund of €150 million in order that local authorities can purchase vacant properties and bring those back into use. This is now happening all over the country. We are also transferring State-owned properties to the LDA in order that they can be developed for use for housing and other things. On the other hand, there is the stick approach. There is the vacant property tax, which will be coming into effect over the course of the next few months, the derelict sites levies and actions such as that. I think we are starting to see this move around the country, or, at least, I certainly am. It is not to the extent that I would wish to see it, but I am seeing it happen on the ground now and it is very encouraging.

Turning to the Labour Party being the party of work, that is fair enough. That is how it sees itself, but it has never achieved full employment while in government. We have. It is this Government that has brought about full employment. It is this Government that has brought about very significant increases in the national minimum wage and the move to a living wage.

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