Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are many causes of homelessness, including financial problems, illness and family issues. The help-to-buy scheme we are proposing in the budget will not be the only solution. The action plan for housing sets out 84 actions.As many as 84 actions have been set out. The Minister and I are confident that with the implementation of the 84 actions and a spend of €5.5 billion, which has been set aside to drive this agenda, we will tackle the crisis in housing accommodation and homelessness. We can fix this issue if we have the full support of all Departments, the Independents and €5.5 billion of taxpayers' money.

Please bear in mind that the incentives to be identified in the budget next week will target a particular sector. It is quite clear to us that first-time buyers are finding it difficult to purchase a house due a low supply of houses. What will be implemented in the budget next week has to do with the supply of housing. At the moment, there is not a supply of houses for that price range or market and, therefore, we must stimulate the first-time buyers' market. One must analyse the solutions in terms of the overall action plan and not just what will be in the budget next week to address the concerns raised here today.