The promised legislation is on Rebuilding Ireland. The latest Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, report has raised further alarm bells about the impact of the housing crisis. The report highlights that there appears to be no end in sight to the pressure on rent prices. In particular, this pressure affects low-income families in the private rental sector. Apart from the human misery this causes, the ESRI now warns that the issue directly affects our international competitiveness, which is something that we can all see and easily understand. Will the Taoiseach now accept that the policies he is pursuing will have no impact for a number of years on the cost of rent, and that it will effectively wipe out any increases or extra moneys that may be made available to families after the budget? People cannot get accommodation and it is simple as that. Therefore, the Rebuilding Ireland policy is not working.

What was the question?

The question is on the ESRI's report that the rent for low-income families, along with all families, is increasing. The Rebuilding Ireland policy is failing, and we are losing our competitiveness because we cannot attract people back here to live and work.

There is legislation pending on the rent pressure zones and to strengthen the provisions therein. The ESRI report today actually says something quite different from what the Deputy claims. It indicates that 18,655 new homes will be built this year, rising to 24,500 units in 2019. Therefore, it indicates we will meet or exceed our new build targets.