Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I echo the sympathies to the families in Donegal on the very sad occasion of the deaths of the four young men. It is very difficult for the families and community. I certainly wish them the very best.

I echo the request that the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, return to the House to discuss housing. He indicated yesterday that he would like an opportunity to return and answer the questions in full. Time was quite limited by the time it came to the Minister's response. I recognise he was quite willing to engage. In particular, he did not get an opportunity to respond to the issue I highlighted on the build-to-rent trend and the impact it is having on the Dublin market. Research has identified that it will soon have a huge impact in Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway. Approximately €5 billion is available for investment in build to rent. It is important that we have a group of professional landlords who make available housing stock to rent but we must also be cautious of the impact it will have on the market as far as the ability of young people to purchase a home is concerned. Yesterday, I pointed out to the Minister that in Dublin in the third quarter of 2018 approximately 80% of all apartments purchased were in a build-to-rent model, although when the planning applications for them were originally made they were to be made available for people to purchase as homes.

Young people were rightly angered. They were looking at apartment blocks being built in Dublin and hoped to have an opportunity to purchase, but these investment funds purchased at above-market prices as an investment and received preferential tax treatment. There is a need for a level playing field where young people have an opportunity to get on to the housing ladder.

Before Christmas, the Leader indicated that he would organise a debate on the TV licence fee, broadcasting in general and its future in Ireland. I know a working group is looking at the fee but the discussion has to be wider than just the licence fee. It must concern the future of broadcasting. I hope the Leader will be able to organise such a debate at his earliest convenience.