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

On competitiveness, the Taoiseach knows housing is a key challenge. The Taoiseach said himself there are issues with the refurbishment of long-term voids on a large scale. There is something that could be done to change this. On the cost of refurbishing long-term voids, the assumption is that it is spread over ten years. For other capital projects, it is usually spread over 30 years. If the Taoiseach wants to do something positive, that could be changed. There is no evidence base for it being restricted to ten years. It is holding up many of those projects.

I recently met members of a campaign group, Access for All Ireland. An issue they raised with me is how the housing crisis is affecting disabled people. As the Taoiseach knows, according to the Ombudsman there are more than 1,200 disabled people under the age of 65 living in nursing homes. They are an unsuitable setting for most of these people. It can affect their mental health and it infringes on their independence. What is the Government doing to address the scandal of more than 1,200 disabled people under the age of 65 living in nursing homes?

See this speech in context