Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit for his response. I acknowledge that Cabinet is meeting today and that this item is on the agenda and will be addressed. We all must remind ourselves, however, of what the purpose of tax is. The purpose of tax is to raise income to invest in essential community services and supports. In this instance, the tax system is undermining the State's investment. It is encouraging activity that undermines the State's investment in the provision of secure and affordable homes. I urge the Minister of State to urge all members of the Government to review the tax arrangements for private investment firms which are encouraging them to purchase wholesale new-build homes that should have been intended for homeowners.

With regard to the tax on vacancies, I accept the Minister of State's response and that a review took place but what I am calling for specifically is a tax on new-build properties left vacant in high-pressure zones. I am not suggesting we tax families and elderly people in nursing homes. There is a significant issue in this regard, particularly here in Dublin city and actually right here in the docklands. New-build properties are lying vacant when they should be available to people who are desperately in need of housing. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House today to address this issue but urgent action is required. People younger than 35 have been impacted most by the pandemic from a financial perspective and they are also those oppressed most by the housing crisis. They deserve a home, just as the Minister of State and I did. They deserve an opportunity and they need to believe the Government is committed to tackling this challenge and to supporting them in getting a secure and affordable home.