Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is part of Kildare South. Never before has a Government had to deal with such a difficult situation. This must be the most difficult time ever to be in Cabinet. There are many pressing social issues apart from the economic challenges and problems that the blows of Brexit and Covid have foisted on us.

Above all, the most important thing is ensuring that people have a home. I know that is the absolute priority for the Minister and our party and, of course, the Government. We need a Minister who has vision and ambition and is pragmatic and practical. I absolutely believe the Minister is that man and he is the one who can deliver. It is very important that people have security of tenure and that they have it within a sustainable community. That is really important because we cannot have houses being built without proper thought or planning in terms of how the families will live in those situations. We must have adequate regard to schools, childcare, transport and leisure and amenity facilities. Covid certainly taught us the importance of that when we could not venture more than 2 km or 5 km from our homes and then subsequently when we were restricted to travelling within our counties. We also cannot have houses and apartments being built without due regard for safety. We cannot have a quick fix solution. Everything has to be considered and there has to be a long-term view in terms of the answers the Minister brings forward.

I will refer briefly to the situation in Newbridge, where there was a dreadful fire at apartments in Millfield. Thankfully, there was no loss of life, but we saw that the apartments were not built properly or appropriately because they were built during the Celtic tiger. Also in Newbridge, a strategic housing development of almost 400 houses is being built but there are not enough school places, particularly for children with special needs or those who are going into secondary level. In addition, the town is suffering gridlock. I have spoken to the Minister before about the need for a second bridge. I know Kildare County Council is engaging on that with his Department this week. It is important that I raise that issue again because of the impact that will be caused by the extra 400 houses and possibly 800 cars, as well as the importance of the children who need all those extra supports. It is important that they and Newbridge, as a community, have those supports.

Dezoning is happening apace in Kildare, such as in Athy currently. I question that because it has an impact on the affordability of houses.

I congratulate the Minister on the work he has done in respect of voids. That was his first target on taking office as Minister ten months ago and its impact has been felt across the country. In Kildare, 111 families have now been housed as a result. We need to look at regenerational programmes that are going on. For example, one such programme at St. Patrick's Park in Rathangan has been going on for more than ten years. It is most frustrating for families that need homes to see homes that are owned by local authorities but are not in use. I ask the Minister to look at that issue again.

There are four very fine aspects to the Bill. It is really important legislation which ensures that affordability is put at the heart of the housing system. I congratulate the Minister in the context of the Bill being the first legislation in the State to focus solely on affordable housing for people who work but cannot afford a home. I have family friends, neighbours and constituents in that position. Young people in their 20s, 30s or even their 40s are not in a financial position to move out of their parents' homes. They are being denied their rite of passage and their identity as independent persons. I was in my 30s when I bought my first and only house and there is not a day when I do not feel gratitude when I put my key into the door of the house because buying the house was a challenge and a difficulty for me and I got in just before it all escalated. I know what it is like and I empathise with the many people who are in that situation.

I wish the Minister well. We are with him every single step of the way and we will support every endeavour he takes to ensure that people of every age and from every stratum of society have a place they can call their own.