Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

When the Minister took office, there was a successful, viable model of how to deliver affordable purchase housing. Ó Cualann was building high-quality homes at prices that families on middle incomes could afford. For example, three-bedroom, A2-rated semi-detached homes at Dun Emer, Lusk, were available for €258,000. Instead of expanding this model of housing delivery, the Government has done its very best to scupper it. For several years now, Ó Cualann has been crying out for early-stage finance so it can get is projects off the ground. If it could get 4% of the project costs upfront, it could build many more badly needed affordable homes. That is just 4%, which could be provided by way of a loan rather than a grant. Hundreds of badly needed affordable purchase homes with planning permission are not getting built. When will the Government provide the early-stage finance needed to get these projects off the ground? If the senior Minister actually answered, he would not have to whisper the answers to the Minister of State for heritage.

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