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

Of course, the Minister is deliberately misrepresenting not only his failure to meet his own targets but also our party's policy. If people want to know Sinn Féin's policy, they can read it on the website. This is questions to the Minister. He can laugh, but the only affordable housing in my local authority last year was homes to purchase for €400,000-plus. As regards affordable rental in my constituency, it is €1,400 for a one-bed and €1,800 for a three-bed. The Minister might think this is funny, but for hardworking people desperate to buy or rent an affordable home, he made a promise and, year on year, he has broken that promise and missed his targets.

With respect to the vacant property refurbishment grant, approvals are no use; it is about drawdowns. When we in the Opposition talk to the people who are approved, what they tell all of us is that the scheme is badly designed. They cannot access the money and it is not doing what the Minister says it is doing.

I ask him the questions again. Will he explain why he missed his affordable purchase targets by 62%, his cost-rental target by 59% and his controversial, high-risk first home scheme target by 44%? He should answer the questions and stop misrepresenting his failures and our alternatives.

See this speech in context