Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)

The Tánaiste has acknowledged that there is a viability issue in terms of apartment construction. However, the Government has ignored the fact that this issue is having an impact right across the construction sector. That is why we have the paradox whereby we have a housing crisis but so little development, particularly in rural counties like Mayo. Housing commencements for the first six months of this year are among the lowest in a decade. I know small and medium-sized builders in County Mayo who would be willing to build but who simply cannot afford to do so because of construction costs. I know families who have jobs, mortgages and planning permission that simply cannot afford to build at the moment. That is the viability gap that exists right across the construction sector. Meanwhile, the Government took in over €3 billion from VAT on construction materials and services last year. Development contribution levies, connections to services, etc., are driving the cost of construction and choking housing delivery.

I ask the Tánaiste not to refer to housing schemes, because these do not exist in Mayo for middle Ireland. The affordable housing scheme delivered five units. There were no cost-rental units in Mayo over the past number of years.

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