Mark Duffy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise an issue relating to housing. We see across the country the housing crisis that faces the State for so many different reasons. There are many potential ways to help to unlock housing supply. Many people, in particular young couples, are priced out of the market and fall between the cracks, in that they are not able to afford to build or buy their own home and are also not eligible, because of income limits, for social housing supports. In my case, in County Mayo, the towns of Westport, Castlebar and Ballina are eligible for affordable housing schemes through the Department of housing. This entailed, first, having KPMG do market analysis on the town and then a recommendation being made to the Department to say affordable housing is required for Ballina, or whatever the town may be. This is total overkill. The housing crisis affects every town, village, nook and cranny of this island. Having to do market analysis when the dogs on the street know there is a housing crisis is totally unnecessary. People who have the financial ability can build large one-off homes in rural areas. If we build houses, they will be bought and will put a roof over people's heads. Where is there an example of oversupply in the country at the moment? There is none. We need to get rid of this obstacle before developing affordable housing schemes, so that in a small village a developer may be able to build a small scheme suitable for that village. The same would apply for a medium-sized town, where a local contractor could do the same. Having to apply to the Department of housing to be validated for something like this is a step too far. We have a crisis on our hands. I would welcome if the Leader gave consideration to liaising with the Minister for housing on this.