Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

Work is being done. To return to Carrick-on-Suir, last week when opening a very fine public housing development, the Minister announced a big refurbishment scheme for older estates. All I am doing is underlining the importance of resources so that people can be proud of where they live. Most of these houses were pretty solidly built in the beginning but some money should be spent on them. In some cases people who bought their houses will spend money on them and in other cases there will be assistance from local authorities. In either case, there should be an emphasis on improving the standard of these houses. In some cases, demolition may be necessary, as in the case of Ballymun, but in other cases, refurbishment may be just what is needed. It has a wider importance than just housing. It is also about the quality of life, law and order and simple things like public lighting in these areas. The problem is that sometimes different branches of local authorities are responsible for different aspects of housing.

This is an issue on which we need to reflect. It has become a very steep mountain for young people — I know this from my own children — to get into the housing market, which is particularly acute in the Dublin area. I do not think simplistic solutions will help. Reference was made to the first-time buyer's grant. When it was introduced in 1981, it may have provided a boost and encouragement to purchase a house. However, this had long since become absorbed in the price of the house. I heard a suggestion recently that there should be stamp duty concessions for first-time buyers. Speaking as the finance spokesperson, I would regard this as a gimmick.