Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Rebuilding Ireland is eight months old and the Minister and the Minister of State have announced an action plan which is being funded by the Government. I think I read some of the Senator's comments last week welcoming the housing funding of €226 million and if she did not, she should do so because it is good news. We will see the delivery of new homes and the construction of social housing across our country. Last month I attended three such projects in my city and county of Cork.

The important point is that Housing Activity reports that commencement notices in the 12 months to January are up 44% year on year. Completions to January 2017 are up 18% and planning permissions are up by 20% for 2016.