Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

There is no real detailed teasing out of issues or discussion of issues in here on Leaders' Questions - it is get up and have a go. The Deputy mentioned the proposal around the SSIA, a savings and investments scheme. She must acknowledge that it would take some years before the necessary funds would be available. The State itself is investing hugely with about €6.8 billion in capital on housing in 2025 and that will probably rise. That is not counting the State investment on the current side with HAP and so on. The State investment in housing right now is well over €7 billion. We have the fourth largest construction activity in European Union of 27 member states. There is a lot of activity in Ireland but we have had a growing economy in the last decade and very significant population growth. We have an issue in meeting the housing demand. That is a crisis for the younger generation. We acknowledge that. I am very focused and the Government is very determined and very focused. We are taking decisions every week on housing and will continue to take more and more decisions.

The LDA has made an impact. The Government from 2020 to 2025 gave it power and resources, and legislation. We are now giving additional roles to the LDA as it has built up capacity. However, we are not hanging around for CPIs - CPIs can take time. We need to hit the ground running in respect of any additional reforms that we have. We are absolutely determined to get to 50,000 per annum. Rent freezes will not do that.

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