We use Google Analytics to see which pages are read and how the site is used, so we know what to improve. This only runs if you accept. See our privacy notice for details.

Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Public housing land sale

Summary

Deputy O'Callaghan criticised the proposed sale of public land in north Dublin for private development and argued that new apartments were being sold to investment funds rather than individuals. The Minister said the Government would push for the highest possible proportion of affordable and cost-rental homes and that local authorities would decide the final mix.

There is a huge gap between what the Minister and the Government are saying about housing and what they are doing. The Minister earlier referenced the proposed sell-off of public land in north Dublin, enough to build 1,200 affordable and social homes, to a private developer. If that sale goes ahead, more than 240 apartments will be built on those lands and sold off to investment funds. None of them will be available for people to buy. Why is it, under this Government, that 100% of new-build apartments are being sold to investment funds and none is available for individual purchase to allow people to make that choice? Will the Green Party, while in government, push for choice and availability so that apartments will be available for people to buy as a part of sustainable development and not just for investment funds?

Comment on this

We will always push for that, particularly at the level of local government, which is where this must apply. My understanding is that, in 2018, our councillors pushed for 70% of the overall development to be available for cost rental. The Social Democrats had a motion at the time calling for a significant number to be available for cost rental but did not set a particular percentage. The Green Party will always try to get the highest proportion, particularly of new public housing solutions such as the development the Deputy mentioned. I understand the county council has to decide on the issue this evening. There is still the possibility that the council will be able to set the terms to protect affordable apartments from being sold en bloc. I hope that is successful and that the council comes to an agreement this evening.

Comment on this