Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Following on from the points Senator McDowell made, it is exactly as he said. I lived in an apartment on the North Circular Road. I was one of the people affected when they made changes to that legislation. They said that apartments could no longer have shared bathrooms and shared facilities. That is what that legislation brought in. When we look at what we have faced over the last year and a half, it was an impossibility. Back then, it was difficult. Many people had to move and find alternative accommodation. It raised the price but delivered a better quality of housing. That is crucial to remember as we come through this pandemic.

I highlight that there is a role for private investment. It is not solely the State that can deliver this. It is impossible for the State to solely deliver this for every person looking for a home. We already see €4 billion being dedicated. We have social and affordable housing being delivered. Through Galway County Council in my home town of Ballinasloe, social and affordable housing will be built in the next year.