Michael Brennan (Progressive Democrats)

I welcome the Minister of State. We should not underestimate what has been achieved in the construction industry in the past ten years. At a time when 69,000 houses were built, the fastest rate in Europe, one sixth of all houses and apartments were build in the past seven years. A decade ago, we were building 20,000 houses. Currently, there is a very modern housing stock, which means much has been achieved. Reference was made to local authorities at a time when we are building 5,500 units per annum while the voluntary sector is building 1,600 units per annum. Note should be taken of this.

The Minister of State has made provision for a five-year action plan at local authority level. I welcome this at a time when development charges have been introduced. It is important to ensure houses are built at affordable prices. There is a golden opportunity in this regard where development plans have been adopted by local authorities. If local authorities had the option of purchasing land at affordable prices, it would be very beneficial to first-time buyers. We also recognise that 50% of houses built since 1996 have been for first-time buyers. If there are any options, they will have to include control over the price of land. I ask the Minister of State to look at this, in conjunction with local authorities, to control the price of land within towns and villages so that public-private partnerships can meet the housing needs of all sections of the community.