Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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171. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action he will take in terms of public expenditure and reform with a view to ensuring that the domestic customer has a reasonable chance of purchasing a home notwithstanding the competition from investors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10942/19]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As part of Budget 2019, I announced a significant increase in expenditure to the Serviced Site Fund (SSF) to enable the Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government to deliver additional affordable housing for low and middle income first time buyers. A total exchequer allocation of €275 million is being provided for the SSF from 2019 to 2021, plus a local authority contribution of €35 million, bringing the total fund to €310 million over the next three years. The SSF will fund facilitating infrastructure on local authority sites. Infrastructure works on projects will begin as soon as possible and delivery of affordable homes is anticipated from early 2020 onwards.

As housing policy, including policy in relation to affordable housing, falls under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, additional information on the SSF and other affordable housing initiatives can be obtained from his Department.