Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In debates here about housing, I have several times asked the Government to afford the same concessions to our people as it is giving to Ukrainians. It is giving €800 tax-free to landlords housing Ukrainians. What hope do Irish and Kerry people have of getting a house to rent when that concession is being offered to the Ukrainian people? What is good for the goose is good for the gander. Irish people should be getting the same concession.

I must tell the Minister of State there is no such thing as an affordable house in County Kerry. There is no such thing and that scheme was never introduced in the county. It is not possible to buy an affordable house. On top of that, the people who would build a house for themselves are blocked every way in the world. They cannot get planning. That is God's gospel truth. The regulator the Government appointed is stopping them. At the same time, it wants to direct people into towns and villages, even though there is no water treatment system working in 38 settlements in County Kerry. God almighty, what is the Government at?

We then have another scenario. Houses are being allocated day after day in County Kerry at different times through this choice-based letting, CBL, system. Lo and behold, though, a house might be allocated. One house was allocated on 6 November 2023, but that girl and her child are not in the house yet. Is this all a gimmick to portray a good image for the Government? If the house is available, then allocate it, but the bloody house has not even been bought. Why should it be allocated then? This is what is going on. Several people have come to me now who have been waiting for three, four and five months for the key. This girl I referred to has been waiting for almost 12 months, since 6 November 2023.

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