Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

These are making very good progress, as is the new scheme under Sustaining Progress. All are making a significant impact. The housing provision for next year announced in the recent Estimates has gone up by 5.5%, which is one of the biggest increases. The overall housing package will be €1.88 billion next year and that will allow for 5,000 starts under the main local authority programme, which is an increase of 500 on this year, and the voluntary housing sector is now providing between 1,500 and 1,600 houses a year. While there are 48,000 people or families on the waiting list, the needs of between 12,500 and 12,700 will be met this year and next year. That is a very significant number. Even when people like to cite the 48,000 on the waiting list, in comparing that with ten years ago it is necessary to compare like with like. Ten years ago if one was single one would not qualify to get on the list unless one was receiving the old age pension. Now the system has changed. It is much easier to get on the waiting list and one is not comparing like with like when referring to the situation ten years ago.