Whatever might be done for first-time buyers in next week's budget, we all know that the real problem is supply. In view of the fact that there are suitable vacant sites throughout the country for the construction of houses, has the Taoiseach considered bringing forward the vacant sites levy by one year - to next year - in order to activate such sites, particularly those in our cities?

The Government has published the most comprehensive housing programme ever produced to deal with the supply issue and a number of other relevant matters. We have not had a proposal to bring forward the vacant site levy. The Minister is first of all focused on dealing with homelessness, rough sleeping and the use of hotels for emergency accommodation for families, which is unsuitable. The initiatives being implemented include the €200 million local infrastructure fund to open sites that are inaccessible to local authorities, which could have the impact of creating 11,000 to 15,000 houses.

The vacant site levy would also achieve that.

A range of issues are focused specifically on supply.