Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In addition, the growing number of people in employment not just in the construction sector but across our country and in the regions indicate that there is confidence and buoyancy in the housing sector. We must now have a joined-up approach involving local authorities, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government so that we can see infrastructure in the realm of public, social and private housing being put in place. Under the local authority housing fund, 34 sites have been identified and funded. They have the potential to deliver 23,000 housing units by 2021.

I agree with Senator Ardagh on the issue of affordability. We must ensure that people can afford to buy and get on the property ladder. That is the reason local authorities are being specifically asked to focus on the area of affordability. If we take Dublin as an example, the four council areas will deliver 3,000 homes. Government is spending €5.3 billion-----