While the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government is constantly developing strategies for the delivery of housing for social housing applicants, an issue arises. Local authorities have been directed to purchase houses at all prices. When will the Taoiseach direct the local authorities to focus on building? I have seen cases where private individuals were outbid by the local authority. I have been assured by some of those individuals that if they went to the bank to ask for a larger mortgage to outbid the council, the bank would not agree to give them a loan for the purchase of the house. The local authorities have an open cheque. Does the Taoiseach believe this represents value for money? When will he be in a position to direct the local authorities to build as opposed to buying houses in tranquil, settled estates that have already complied with Part 5? There are issues arising. When can we see a change of emphasis from buying to building?

Is there legislation promised in this area?

There is no legislation but the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, announced a few weeks ago at the housing summit at the Customs House a policy change to do exactly as outlined. Instead of purchasing houses, local authorities have been asked to build them. Eight hundred houses that were to be purchased next year will now be built by local authorities instead. That is not to say the local authorities will never buy houses in private estates again. Sometimes it is appropriate that they do so, to ensure there is a social mix and particularly if a house is derelict or has been abandoned. Louth County Council, in particular, has been very progressive in using its CPO powers to purchase private houses and turn them into public housing. In general, however, the policy shift is away from local authorities bidding against young couples trying to buy a house in favour of building them instead. That announcement was made by the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, at the Customs House a couple of weeks ago.