Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will have our detailed debate soon, but 50,000 to 60,000 homes are figures I have heard in this House and from people right across the building sector. Being honest, however, nearly the more important part, or at least as important a part, was getting the national planning framework for this. The old version of the national planning framework does not an ability to deliver that number of homes in terms of land and zoned land across our country. What we have done today, therefore, is not just set the figures for the coming years, which I hope will anchor the discussion, and I appreciate the Deputy's welcome, but also put out the national planning framework in a draft form in order that the system can prepare for whoever the Irish people decide to be in government in terms of being ready for that increase in scale. Approximately 40% to 50% of homes being built in this country are somewhat subvented by the taxpayer. That is an incredible level of intervention and is almost unparalleled across the European Union.

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