Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to again raise the issue of housing, in particular the Government's failure to meet social housing needs across the country. New statistics are alarming because they show that only one new modular home has been built in this city. As much as €40 million has been spent on hotels and 300 houses had been promised up until 1 July yet, as we know, only one has been built. The target in the housing action plan is that 1,000 new homes will be constructed in 2017. The original target was 5,000 but it will not be achieved. We know from statistics that up to 10,000 new homes are required each year to meet the demand for housing. That is absolutely appalling. The Minister must come to this House to urgently address this matter. We need a proper social housing building programme like we had in the 1950s. The Minister must accept this and forget about public private partnerships. The Government must start to build houses for people.

The second matter that I would like to raise is a good news story. I congratulate the community in Ballyfermot that organised a Passion festival over the weekend that was comprised of workshops, plays and equestrian exhibitions.I congratulate them on their community spirit. The manner in which they organised the festival should be a model for other communities across the country.

I remind the House that today is the 50th anniversary of the free travel pass, introduced by a Fianna Fáil Government. This policy is one of the great success stories of our State and a welcome return to those who have contributed to our country. I hope that the Government will continue and, perhaps, extend the free travel pass scheme throughout the country such that the Bus Éireann dispute will be resolved.