Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The notion of affordable housing in this State under this Government is a myth. It is a Government soundbite that has no foundation in reality. Look at the Oscar Traynor Road development. Prices were initially proposed at €475,000 for a three-bedroom semi-detached house. After the initial outcry, this was reduced to €360,000, with the State taking a higher stake in the property. Even at this price, it is out of the reach of ordinary workers and families. It is not affordable for our young people. It is forcing them to emigrate because they will never be able to afford a home of their own. It is certainly not affordable for the families across this city who find themselves caught in the rental trap.

I could go on. The reality is that what this Government is delivering is unaffordable housing. That is its record - record house prices, record prices and record levels of arrogance from Minister after Minister who continue to stand by Government policy and say to us that this is what is success looks like. They even say it with a straight face.

Deputy Ó Broin has stood in this Chamber and presented the Government with solution after solution. Our housing plan, A Home of Your Own, shows that there is a better and fairer approach, one that addresses the despair of workers and families who are struggling to buy a home of their own. We are committed to delivering homes for €250,000 and we have a detailed plan to do it. Politics is all about choices. By continuing its failed policy, this Government is condemning a whole generation of our young people and families to never owning a home of their own.

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