Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the publication of the action plan on housing and the target to deliver 300,000 homes through a whole-of-government approach. It is ambitious but appropriate. We need ambition.

Housing affects everyone in society, whether someone waiting on a local authority housing list, a young person hoping to buy or older people looking for more suitable housing. This issue is urgent. In my area of Carlow-Kilkenny, I meet constituents every week. Single people are finding it very hard to get one-bed houses or one-bed apartments. I know that is a priority for the Minister.

It is urgent across all of society that we build as many homes as possible and have as much supply of housing as we can. It is also very important that we work with our local authorities in improving housing delivery. I particularly welcome the commitment in the plan to deliver 12,000 new social homes every year. This is critical. We have to focus on starter homes and affordable housing. I know these are a priority for the Minister and that he is very much committed to delivering them. I welcome that. Like other TDs, though, I have received lots of contact from people who are working and do not qualify for either the local authority housing list or a mortgage. These people are caught in the middle. It is an area I know the Minister is addressing and I welcome it.

The other issue is the lack of supply of rental properties. It is very challenging, but I do welcome the increased protections for renters. It is really important alongside the increased supply the Minister is committed to. Serviced sites across the country, including in my own area of Carlow-Kilkenny, need to be developed as soon as possible by local authorities for a mixture of homes. Sites should deliver homes for those on the social housing list and those looking for starter homes, as well as our older people and those with disabilities who need different housing options. I welcome the Minister's opening statement when he spoke about this issue and his commitment to it. This is really welcome. This does show the Government's commitment to housing and working to find and get everyone a home. This is so important.

We also need to look at the waiting list for grants. I just wanted to bring this matter up in respect of the housing adaptation grants. I have spoken to the Minister about it. I know the Government has increased the funding. I welcome that and I know it has done that. I wonder, though, if it could look again at the hike in the price of materials, because this means people are finding it difficult between quotes and the grant value. Maybe this is another issue the Minister might come back to me on again.

Our local authorities need resources to deliver on all this. I know the Government has funded extra staff in local authorities. I thank the Minister for it. I also know this is something he has worked on and I ask that this continue. I again have to mention my own area. This is why I felt it was important to come in today and ask the Minister about this issue. I want to talk again about dereliction in housing. I know a lot of work has been done over the last year. I can see it as well. The only issue I have is that maybe we need to look at our local authorities on the timeframes for empty houses in our towns and villages and in our stock.

Carlow is now a university town and county. Like other university towns, we know the value colleges and students bring to the local communities and our economy. I ask that student-specific accommodation would be a priority. I know student accommodation is a topic the Minister has spoken about many times, but we feel in my home town of Carlow that too many students face long commutes that impact their studies and social life, as well as taking away from the towns and cities where they are studying. Again, I know this is something the Minister is addressing and I welcome it.

The programme for Government commits to re-establishing town councils on a phased basis. I was a county councillor for many years, so I really do appreciate this. I see the work they do. I ask that this be done as soon as possible. The Minister knows himself that local authorities and local representatives play a huge role in towns and counties and can be so effective as leaders. They are leaders in community engagement and championing local authorities.

Within my own remit, I will mention that in my own area, the Department of Health, I have also secured some funding in the budget for healthcare initiatives for people in emergency accommodation, having worked with the Minister on this issue. We also need to look at services for the vulnerable. This is within my area. I know the Minister has been very supportive of me doing this. The really good news today came when I read about Rosslare-Europort. I see CIÉ will soon be seeking planning permission to expand the port and develop a landmark facility for offshore wind energy. This will be a huge investment in the south east. Again, this is really important. I believe too that offshore wind energy is the way to go in increasing our energy capabilities. All this is backed by the unprecedented investment in infrastructure under our national development plan and the infrastructure report. These are just excellent. I know we have a lot to do and we need to build a lot, but I do believe the Government is going to make those changes in line with the commitment they have given.

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