Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of extra affordable housing units he expects to be built as a result of the measures announced in budget 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42881/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Budget 2007 introduced last week provides the necessary financial underpinning in my Department's capital envelope to deliver on its ambitious affordable homes target set out in Towards 2016.

Specifically, the Government has acted to address issues of housing affordability. A range of targeted schemes to assist first-time buyers has been put in place directed specifically at those who cannot meet their own housing needs. These include the shared ownership scheme, the 1999 affordable housing scheme, affordable housing through Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2006 and the affordable housing initiative under Sustaining Progress.

In addition, we have established the affordable homes partnership to co-ordinate and accelerate the delivery of affordable housing in and around the capital. Since its establishment last year, the partnership has made progress in a number of areas. These include land exchanges, a "call for lands" initiative designed to bring forward additional land for affordable housing and the development of common approaches to the implementation of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000.

The momentum of delivery under the various schemes is growing, particularly under Part V, and it is estimated that some 3,000 homes will be delivered from all the schemes this year. On the basis of the momentum now achieved, we have an ambitious target for the period 2007 to 2009 with some 17,000 homes in total to be delivered under the various affordable schemes. This is a substantial commitment to meeting the needs of first-time buyers seeking affordable housing.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Does the Minister of State agree that he has performed poorly in the supply of affordable housing, particularly under Part V? In view of the fact that approximately 90,000 houses will be built this year, the Minister of State should have told me that 18,000 affordable housing units will be coming on stream rather than the paltry 3,000 — welcome as they are — he has made available. Will he agree it is time for him, as Minister, to shake up the local authorities that are not delivering the affordable housing they ought to be delivering?

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I do not accept the Deputy's suggestion that our performance in this respect is poor. The Deputy will note from the data available that the number of units has increased year by year. I explained the position about the Part 5 provision several times. It is a great idea and in time it will be a marvellous deliverer of social and affordable housing but, as we all know, it will take time for it to click in. It does not apply to planning permissions which existed prior to the introduction of the legislation. This year the figures are up on those of previous years. From now on we can expect a better dividend from the Part 5 provision. It will be proven in time to have been an innovative idea. The Deputy's party fought it tooth and nail at the time but I firmly believe in it. In time it will produce the goods in terms of social and affordable housing.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State is not fighting tooth and nail for the people of Dublin or for the young people in his constituency. They have been forced to leave the city and must commute to Dublin from outlying counties. They have long commutes resulting in work days of up to 12 to 14 hours. This is the position because the Minister of State is not fighting their corner and ensuring that land is released. He is not ensuring that local authorities do their job.

It appears that the kernel of the issue is that a significant number of developers are sitting on land rather than developing it. Will the Minister of State introduce a "use it or lose it" provision in legislation to insist that where that is happening such land will be released and that affordable housing will be built on it? If he does not do that and continues on the path he is following, he will make it impossible for young people to buy their own home, to purchase an affordable house, particularly in his constituency and elsewhere in the city of Dublin.

This is the first generation of Dublin people who cannot afford to live beside their parents or grandparents and who must spend practically day and night commuting to and from work. In doing that they rarely see their own families. The Government has abjectly failed them. It has failed to provide the affordable housing that is badly needed. The Minister of State's performance today in saying that 3,000 units will be delivered this year is unacceptable.

Séamus Pattison (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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The Deputy is making a long statement. He should ask a question.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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It happens in every generation that, to a large extent, family members cannot afford to buy homes beside their parents.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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That is not true.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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In the part of Dublin from where I come people have moved from Drumcondra to Santry, Santry to Swords, Swords to Balbriggan——

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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People are now commuting from Portlaoise to Dublin.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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——Cabra to Finglas and Finglas to Ballymun. That happens with every generation.

All aspects of the housing market have been under pressure in recent years because of the huge increase in population. One need only check the census figures to note that the population has increased by 8%. The percentage of people in the 25 to 34 year age bracket, which is the key household formation age group, has increased by18%, which is a huge increase. The people in that age bracket are working and contributing to the economy. Such an increase in the number in that age bracket has caused a huge demand for housing, be it private or other forms of housing. Dublin city is nearly totally built up. There is not much opportunity to provide further housing in the city other than increasing housing density. People are moving out further. Finglas County Council is the local authority area in which there has been the greatest level of development — a similar pattern applies to South Dublin County Council — and it has responded most to the challenge presented. Some people have moved to live in Drogheda, which is only up the road. Once one is at the airport it takes only ten minutes to reach Drogheda.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Some people have moved much further afield and they spend 12 hours a day commuting.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I realise that, but as I said to the Deputy previously, most of them are reasonable people.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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This Administration has failed them.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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If I was the Deputy I would not be afraid of them. Most of them are reasonable.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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We are not afraid. The Government is not doing anything for them, that is the problem.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy gets to know them and is nice to them, he might in time win their confidence.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State should beware of the "Ides of April". We are nearing the Ides of March.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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It may take a person ten minutes to travel from the airport to Drogheda but it took people ten hours to get through a pothole in Bray.