Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the Senators for their contributions, notwithstanding some unparliamentary language. I will make a general comment on the points raised by Senators before I sum up. On the general comment made by Senator Buttimer in his closing speech, I do not think we will get anywhere by revisionism or the blame game and it is critically important we work collectively to try to achieve these targets. There is a crisis and it is a crisis we can resolve together. That type of negative criticism, which is unwarranted in some cases, will not build a single house. It is important we work together in a constructive way, although where constructive criticism is required that is by all means absolutely warranted.

On Senator Cummins's points on constraints, he is correct that the indicators are going in the right direction. Issues he has raised consistently around vacancy and dereliction are being addressed through Croí Cónaithe, town centre first and other schemes. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has been particularly strong on tackling voids. As for the two points he raised about Limerick City and County Council on compulsory purchase orders, CPOs, I have had a comprehensive visit to Limerick city to look at the work and I would be happy to visit Cork in a similar manner to look at some of the dereliction and how they are using the CPO process very proactively. There is excellent work being done there and similarly in Waterford on repair and lease. That has been also raised by other Senators.

Income thresholds are being addressed by the Minister. Five counties have been dealt with but the Minister will have a report on that issue furnished to him shortly by the Housing Agency. The issue of homeownership was also raised and we also take the points raised on the shared equity scheme on board.

Senator Keogan raised the uncapped number of refugees and the Government has been forthright in saying we are not going to restrict numbers. There is a war in Ukraine and people are fleeing absolute terror and horror there and that is critically important. There are still options to house people and we need to be as generous as we possibly can be. We will achieve our targets and will exceed targets around Croí Cónaithe and repair and lease.

I thank Senator Fitzpatrick for her comments on tackling homelessness and housing in general. She also mentioned the decade of undersupply. I welcome the comments regarding protection for renters under the Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Act 2022, which we dealt with just before the break. Senator Warfield raised issues of homelessness and homeownership numbers, which we would dispute, as I think homeownership numbers are going in the right direction. I thank Senator Moynihan for the positives around Housing for All. Undoubtedly there are challenges but I welcome Opposition comments on that. Senator Black focused on the psychological trauma caused by the housing crisis and she is correct. There is no doubt it is having an impact on relationships, on children, and on families and we are mindful of that. We are conscious of that and I think that she mentioned the point on leadership and I reiterate the point about leadership across the Houses. The right to vote for the diaspora was mentioned in relation to Brazilians and it is fantastic to see them vote here. Should a referendum be passed, we will extend the franchise for presidential elections and it is something the Electoral Commission will give consideration to and it is important we do that.

I fundamentally disagree about the Government's overreliance on the private market. The point had been made regarding a significant upturn in social and affordable housing that is being built by the Irish State. It is not a neoliberal agenda or ideology of Government and we all want to achieve the same objectives. Senator Casey raised Housing for All as regards public housing and public land and that is what it sets out to do. It was important to see the return back to 20% of Part V provision being brought forward. Senator Dolan raised HAP thresholds in Galway and we will look at those issues also. On rent credits and support for local authority housing and planning teams the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has put additional staff into local authorities recognising that there is an increased demand on their needs and has put those supports in place. Senator Blaney referenced the national planning framework and local authorities. Senator Gavan made some negative comments, which I have addressed and again, a blame game at this stage simply will not address the issues we have to raise. I welcome Senator Kyne's comments in terms of social housing and those of Senator Conway about not objecting to social housing. I grew up in a fantastic local authority scheme with a large family and I think it is critically important that we as public representatives are responsible in supporting social housing provision across the country. I also thank Senator Buttimer for his comments and I acknowledge the work of previous Ministers such as former Minister, Eoghan Murphy.

I will move on to my closing speech if that is okay.