Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday saw the publication of the Government's quarter 2 Housing for All progress report for 2023. All those with ears to the ground will know it is not exactly a roaring success story. In the report, we conspicuously received no update on the figures with regard to completed new-build social housing or those detailing new-build affordable housing along with absolutely no mention of the knock-on effects of last year's missed targets. We are told that nearly one third of the Housing for All so-called priority actions have been delayed in their delivery.

The Housing for All target for new homes for 2023 is 29,000. We are more than halfway through the year and the construction has only begun on fewer than 13,000 of these.We need to examine solutions to the housing crisis outside of the conventional building of houses, while acknowledging that there must be some form to the backbone of our response. I mentioned before the idea of the Government declaring a period of amnesty for capital gains tax on the sale of second homes or apartments owned by an individual and sold on to a person, couple or family who want to live in it, but not to a vulture fund. Capital gains tax is charged at 33% so a third of a person's profit from sale is snapped up by the Government, which has no hand in facilitating the sale. How many people baulk at that idea and are put off all the work and hassle of selling a house they have no use for or for downsizing? We need to be thinking along these lines if we are to increase the housing stock that is to be put on the market in Ireland. On Monday I got the shock of my life when an 85-year-old man walked into my office. He has been out of a house for ten years and living in bed and breakfast accommodation for six years. I was ashamed.

We need to discuss the digital euro and the future of currency. I am continually baffled by the sheer lack of attention being paid to this in Ireland. The European Commission has put forward a package of legislation which sets out the framework for the introduction of a digital euro, while also thankfully acknowledging the role of cash in our society. Member states will need to ensure the widespread acceptance of cash payments as well as a sufficient and effective access to cash. The European Central Bank has said that the investigative phase of its digital Europe programme is concluding in October. Prior to this, our House should have an opportunity to put our heads together and set out what we want the future of Ireland's financial landscape to look like with regards to currency and the control of same in this country. Maybe the Leader could organise that debate into October with the Minister for Finance.