Victor Boyhan (Independent)

I ask the Leader to ascertain from the Government, or from the Minister or the Ministers of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, when we will have a new housing plan. We were promised when the Government came to power that we would either have a new housing plan to replace the existing one or a simple update of the current Housing for All plan. It is important. We are shortly to enter our summer recess. The Government has been in place for months and we still do not have a national plan. There is a housing crisis in this country.

I today submitted a Commencement matter in respect of Ardrew in Athy, County Kildare. It was one of a number of public-private partnership bundles to provide social and affordable housing and, indeed, private housing. The Department of housing has pulled out of that particular bundle and it will not be proceeding. The Commencement matter threw up nothing. Neither the Minister nor the Ministers of State at the Department were here, which is now common practice. A Minister of State from another Department came to the House but was unable to enlighten us as to when this scheme of houses, among a number of other public-private partnership bundles, would commence. I ask the Leader to ascertain the situation from the Department. It is rare we seem to be able to get a Minister from the Department relevant to a Commencement matter to come to the House. Will the Leader pursue the issue and ask the Minister or the Ministers of State at the Department to clarify the situation for me and the House? What is the alternative starting date? What are the timelines in respect of the development at Ardrew, Athy, County Kildare?