Pat Casey (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Again, we are dealing primarily with the local authority entering into agreements with different vehicles for the delivery of affordable homes. Amendment No. 6 removes the option of a local authority entering a public private partnership arrangement. In my county of Wicklow, in the areas where the housing crisis is at a maximum, there is no public land.If local authorities are to build social or affordable homes their only option is to reach out to the private sector, and I regret this because it is not my preferred option but it is the only option on the table. If these partnerships are managed correctly, they can provide social and affordable homes and they should not be removed as an option.

To come back to the core point of this, it is a local authority arrangement. We are putting our trust in our local authority members, whom I do trust, to ensure every scheme and proposal is fit for purpose for their area. There is a difference between Dublin and the rest of the country. There are different dynamics at play. Amendments Nos. 7 and 9 seek 80% social housing. My view is that on public land I would like to see 100% social housing but there are segments in my local area that need private housing development. For once in our lifetime, we are giving back powers to our local authority members and putting our trust in them that every scheme they propose, whether through the Land Development Agency or a public private partnership, will be suitable and fit for purpose for their local area.

With regard to the point made by Senator Higgins on public-public partnerships, I cannot understand why a local authority could not enter an agreement with another public body and perhaps the Minister of State will clarify this. I would have no problem in supporting this. Perhaps the Minister of State can clarify whether it is doable with local authority members. We have to give our local authorities every option, avenue and vehicle to deliver affordable and social homes. This includes working with every body and agency they can.