Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Bhí an traein mall inniu. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Tánaiste. Faoina Rialtas, tá praghas na dteach ag méadú le bliain anuas. Méadú de 7% a chonaic muid inné. Ar fud an Stáit anois, tá meánphraghas €400,000 ar thithe do dhaoine atá ag iarraidh teach úr a cheannacht.

Yesterday, the CSO reported that in the past year house prices have continued to skyrocket, rising by more than 7%. Since the Government took office, the average house price in Carrigaline in the Tánaiste's constituency has increased by almost €100,000. Nearly half the houses in Carrigaline are being sold for more than €400,000. Under the Government, homes are becoming less affordable across the State, in every county and community, yet the Government crows that its housing plan is working and claims it has turned a corner. Across the State, first-time buyers now face an average price of €400,000 to buy a new-build home. On what planet is this affordable for ordinary workers and families? I hope the Tánaiste answers that question.

The rate of home ownership has fallen to its lowest level in 50 years under this Government. Homelessness is rising and house prices surging out of control. The numbers do not lie. The housing crisis is getting worse, not better. The number of new homes coming onto the market for people to buy and own fell last year and has flatlined under this Government. Investment companies and vulture funds are hoovering up properties to rent out at extortionate prices, but that is not a solution to the housing crisis.

Even those profiting on the back of people's misery are telling everyone the Government's housing plan will not make homes more affordable. Yesterday one of the biggest trade unions in the State warned the housing and affordability crisis is threatening our public services, with teachers, nurses and gardaí unable to find affordable accommodation in cities, towns and villages across the State. Businesses are telling us, and I am sure they are telling the Tánaiste, that the housing crisis is undermining our economy. Employers tell us they find it difficult to attract and retain staff. That is happening all around, yet Government Members have the cheek to say the housing plan is working and things are getting better despite the reality staring them blatantly in the face.

The Tánaiste's party created this housing crisis. Under Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, it is getting worse. What are they delivering? Their affordable housing targets are pitifully low and they are not even meeting those targets, with too many of the properties that are being delivered simply too expensive. The Government's housing policy is designed to push up prices and that is exactly what it is doing.

Who are the losers in all of this? It is the ordinary people of Ireland who are losing out under Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil's disastrous housing policies as house prices continue to spiral out of control. It is the young people forced to live with their parents into their 30s, putting their lives on hold, or worse, are forced to emigrate because they see no future in this land. It is the families trapped in a rip-off rental market who do not have any hope of owning their own home. That is why we need a change of government and a housing policy that would see the State start to deliver tens of thousands of homes that working people can afford.

I will ask the Tánaiste a very simple question on a commitment he personally gave. We are over four years since the general election. He personally gave a commitment to the electorate that, if elected, he would deliver 50,000 affordable homes to purchase at less than €250,000. My question is: where are those homes are today? I am sure many people are scratching their heads asking the same question. The Government's policy has driven house prices out of control and out of reach of ordinary families. What does the Tánaiste say to people in his constituency and across the State who are being asked to fork out €400,000-plus to buy a new build?

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