Last month, President Michael D. Higgins described the housing crisis as a disaster. I believe that he gave voice to the hard realities faced by those desperately struggling to put an affordable roof over their heads because when people cannot afford a home, it does not just stop there; it has wide-reaching and deep consequences for our society.

Today we read that schools in Dublin report that teachers are leaving and seeking employment in other parts of the country due to extortionate rents and soaring house prices. Schools are finding it very difficult to recruit replacements. One school in Stillorgan, it is reported, recently wrote to parents advising them that six of its teachers were relocating outside Dublin. The teachers' unions are alarmed. They say that difficulties with teacher supply are made worse by the fact that teachers cannot set up home in this city. They say that teachers who commute to Dublin are now considering working elsewhere because of the soaring cost of fuel. The teachers' unions are worried because schools are struggling to get teachers in important subjects like maths and science. Many schools are forced to consider asking teachers who have Gaeilge but who do not have a degree in Irish to teach the subject. The situation has become so bad that some schools may have to consider dropping optional subjects. We now face, therefore, the prospect of another serious problem rooted in the housing crisis. If left unchecked, it will have major knock-on effects. Being unable to afford a home impacts the quality of life of teachers, which then affects the ability of schools to deliver and, in turn, impacts the education of our children. It ripples through everything.

We should not be surprised that this problem is emerging. The average rent in Dublin is now more than €2,000. Average house prices range up to €600,000, which is truly off the wall. How could anyone build a life when facing those costs? By the time a teacher pays the rent or the mortgage repayment, a huge chunk of his or her wage is gone. Add in the spiralling cost of living, the relentless hikes in electricity and gas prices, childcare fees and the sharp increases in the price of food and life in the city has become literally unaffordable. We can see that teachers are left in an impossible situation, and why they are now voting with their feet. Tá múinteoirí ag fágáil Bhaile Átha Cliath mar gheall ar phraghsanna tithe atá ag ardú as cuimse agus ar chíosanna ríchostasacha. Tá scoileanna ag streachailt le múinteoirí eile a fháil. Ní mór don Rialtas gníomhú anois chun deireadh a chur leis an ngéarchéim atá mar thubaiste anois. Those caught up in the housing crisis, including teachers, are crying out for change. The Government cannot allow this problem to escalate and to become, in itself, another crisis.

What is the Government's assessment of this situation?

Does the Taoiseach share the teacher unions' alarm over the situation? What does his Government propose to do by way of response? Does he plan to meet the teachers' unions on this matter?

Admhaím go bhfuil géarchéim ann ó thaobh cúrsaí tithíochta. Is príomhaidhm an Rialtais é i bhfad níos mó tithe a thógáil agus a chur ar fáil. Níl aon amhras ach go bhfuil deacrachtaí faoi leith ag múinteoirí agus ag an-chuid daoine eile maidir le cúrsaí tithíochta. Tá plean cuimsitheach ag an Rialtas chun déileáil leis an ngéarchéim seo. Níl an Rialtas ann ach ar feadh dhá bhliain ach tá an-chuid bainte amach againn le linn an dá bhliain sin.

I have said consistently since being elected as Taoiseach that housing is the number one social issue facing this country. The Government has produced the most comprehensive housing policy, entitled Housing for All. I have not seen any alternative policy formulation either from the Deputies opposite or their party that has the same depth, breadth or detail to deal with a very serious issue concerning housing. Housing supply will be key regarding it. We simply need to build more houses and apartments across the board. The target is to get to 33,000 to 35,000 units per annum. This year the expectation is that we will be on target for approximately 24,600 new houses.

On commencements, 22,000 new units were completed in the year to March 2022. That is the highest number of home completions in any 12-month period since the series began in 2011. A total of 5,669 new homes were added to the national housing stock in quarter 1 this year, so progress is being made. A total of 43,000 planning permissions were granted in 2021, which is a sixfold increase on the number of units granted permission in 2014 and represents the highest number of planning permissions since 2007. More than 30,000 new homes were commenced in the year to May 2022. That is the highest number since records started.

In the EU, Ireland has gone from having the third lowest level of completions per capita, in 2013, to having the fifth highest, in 2020. Progress is being made, but it is not enough to deal with the huge demand that exists. We are looking at every possible avenue to increase housing supply and build up the capacity of the industry to build more, particularly through apprenticeships, for example. The number of construction apprenticeship registrations in 2021 increased by more than 40% compared with the number in 2019. We are working at every level, therefore, to ensure that the industry has greater capacity and that we build more houses.

On the rent side, we have brought in a series of Bills to protect renters, particularly in rent pressure zones, which will become more important now given the inflation rate of 9% odd. Rent increases have to be limited to 2% in these zones.

On the affordable housing front, the Croí Conaithe cities initiative has been launched. A further initiative will be launched this week in respect of Croí Conaithe towns, which will entail substantial support for prospective homeowners to renovate a house and live in it. Significant support will be given by the State in that regard. The Land Development Agency, established by legislation by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, is working on a range of initiatives to produce more housing. He also launched the first home shared equity scheme. That will be a significant scheme that will help teachers, gardaí and those in a range of other occupations to access homes in an affordable manner. The number of applications has been significant since the scheme was launched. I know Deputy McDonald opposed it but it has been proving very attractive so far to people.

I set out for the Taoiseach a story that I think is very worrying. The teachers' unions are expressing alarm over the fact that teachers are relocating from Dublin because they cannot afford to live here.

They cannot afford the rents. They cannot afford to get a mortgage. These are the facts on the ground. I asked the Taoiseach whether he shared concerns about this. I asked him what is the Government's assessment of this phenomenon. I asked furthermore whether he will meet the teaching unions on this matter. I asked him what he proposes to do to avert what could become a very difficult situation, particularly in Dublin, if teachers cannot afford to live here and if they are under pressure even in terms of the cost of the commute. The Taoiseach did not answer the questions. I ask him respectfully that when he takes to his feet he answers these questions. What is the Government's assessment of this? What will the Taoiseach do about it? Will the Taoiseach meet the teaching unions on this matter?

I did give my assessment. I have made it consistently clear that housing is the number one priority. The Government is two years in office. It has produced a very comprehensive Housing for All strategy designed to ramp up house construction in this country, particularly social housing. We will have a record number of social houses built in 2022.

That is simply not true.

We will also provide additional affordable homes. The first home shared equity scheme will help teachers.

When?

It will help many people in terms of affordability. The scheme has been launched. Many people are already applying to join the scheme. The help-to-buy scheme has also been very effective for many people who have genuine, challenging situations with regard to affordability. It is not just teachers. It is many other professions and workers as well.

Yes but I asked the Taoiseach about teachers.

I know you did but I am making the point. This is a broader issue.

I am well aware of that.

We have to solve an issue with housing.

You are not going to solve it.

I know there are similar problems in the North.

No delivery.

Sinn Féin's housing Minister in the North said it would take ten years to resolve it.

Fine Gael has been in government for 11 years.

That was Sinn Féin's position in charge of housing.

Well done Taoiseach. You avoided it again.

Can we stop the heckling please?