Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

To say the Minister's response is Orwellian would be an understatement. Let us look at the facts. As regards his affordable purchase scheme, the only Government scheme that delivers anything close to genuinely affordable homes, he missed his target last year by 63%. As regards the cost-rental scheme, he missed his target by 59%. As regards the first home scheme, which he has lauded, he missed the target by 44%. He promised 2,000 home purchases with that highly controversial, high-risk scheme last year; there were only 1,000. His claim that 4,000 households received supports is just not true because, in fact, the way he has presented the figures to the public is deeply dishonest and does not reflect actual purchases, only approvals. Even as regards his vacant property refurbishment grant, which he says will tackle vacancy, he was short his target by 83%, and the target was only 600 homes.

My question, then, if the Minister is brave enough and honest enough to answer it, is as follows. The schemes for which he is directly responsible have all missed their targets. As a consequence, rents and house prices are rising and young people are locked out and emigrating. I ask the Minister to answer the question. Why has he missed his targets, and what will he do to meet them this year?

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