Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister. One of the problems we have at the minute is that the Government’s social and affordable housing targets are too low. Not only are they too low, but they are simply not being met. The Government has failed in its pre-election promise of 40,000 new homes to be delivered this year, but I want to concentrate on the affordable purchase schemes. Last year, the Government only delivered 779 affordable purchase homes. Even with this low number, the affordable housing that came out of that was way too expensive, with so-called affordable houses in my own area in Dublin Mid-West costing up to almost €500,000. I do not know how people think that is affordable. This is making it impossible for ordinary workers and families to afford a home of their own. I do not see anything in yesterday's budget that will make these homes more affordable or bring down the prices. I have a simple question. Does the Minister think €500,000 is an affordable house under the Government's affordable housing scheme?

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