Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his answer. It is clear that this is a problem that cannot be solved without State investment. That is why underlying the Housing for All plan is a commitment that we are going to invest significant amounts - €5 billion per annum as he indicated - in trying to increase housing in the country.

There is another sphere, which is the people who have not been able or who do not want to get on the housing ladder. Not everyone wants to commit to buying a house at certain stages in their lives. They are the people in the rental sector. We increased the rent tax credit to €750 in the budget. What is the Minister's view on what more can be done in the rental market? Does he think this is purely a matter that is within the control of the Department of Finance and the budgetary process or is it the case that with an increasing number of units being built and the increased supply will ameliorate the problems many renters are finding in society at present?

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