Vincent P Martin (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach said on the radio today how pleased he was to hear that sober analysis from Sinn Féin. I do not mean to misrepresent the able and eminent Deputy and I am sure they have a different way of doing it but playing politics and relegating it to a simple matter of down with all private investors is not fair. It may be inadvertent but it is a dishonest argument to make.

Two of my fellow Green Senators addressed the Minister on this before we resumed today. I will bring two issues to the Minister's attention. The Vienna model has been Green Party bread and butter policy for years. The rent is the cost of the build and is capped at 3.5%. I think we are hoping to roll out 440 units this year. I am convinced this is the way forward. The Minister might let us know whether he might be open-minded regarding more in the long term and whether we can expedite that amazing model. We are a long way from it but in Vienna, these houses are all the same and people who can afford more pay more under the same model. It houses more than 6% of the population of Vienna. We must take baby steps here but putting that on a statutory footing would be legacy stuff for the Minister and the Government and they should take a bow. There are so many criticisms. It is very important and helps the morale of people who are waiting on a house to let them know about some of the good news. This is something about which I am particularly passionate. I think the Minister is on record as saying that it would be approximately 25% less than market value but it looks like 40% in some places. In Stepaside and Enniskerry, it will be capped at €1,200 per month for a two-bed that would go for €2,000 per month on the market tomorrow so that would look more like 40%. I am asking the Minister to think about this. Social housing is needed but we should not just go one way. In my home county of Kildare, 125 units were bought, all of which were social housing. The neighbours next door wanted affordable and private housing, be it with the help of Rebuilding Ireland, and restrained themselves from trying to block planning permission. That goodwill is gone. A social mix of all the different types of housing is the way to go. We need the Minister's leadership to ask Kildare County Council, which is doing its best and is under pressure, for a mix because it is proven to be more vibrant and dynamic for everyone.