Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State spoke about the importance of building houses in rural areas. It is interesting to look at the housing commencements for last year on a per capita basis. The numbers are much higher for Dublin, of course, but we can look at a county like Kildare. For every 80 people in County Kildare, one house was built. It is important to state that these numbers are on a per capita basis, which means they are fair to begin with. In Sligo, there was one house built for every 273 people. Leitrim had one house built for every 248 people. Roscommon had one for every 570 people. Yes, houses are being built but the vast majority of them are in areas outside the north-west region. What action is the Minister of State taking to counteract that?

See this speech in context