John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. Obviously, regarding the retention or otherwise of rent pressure zones options are being provided to the Minister. Those options are under consideration. The Government is committed to the delivery of more affordable homes. Cost rental has a key part to play in that regard. We have seen a significant ramp-up in activity on the part of the Land Development Agency and the approved housing bodies through the cost rental equity loan scheme. We want to see the activation of the secure tenancy affordable rental, STAR, scheme a lot more by the private sector. It is not a case of either-or; we need to see private sector investment in our housing market. We also need to see State investment. The way it is presented by the Deputy all the time is that it is a case of either or. It is not; it is both. It is only by using all levers at the disposal of the State that we will tackle the challenges we have.

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