I want to ask the Taoiseach about the recruitment and retention crisis in schools due to a lack of affordable housing. There are reports today of a Dublin school asking grandparents to rent a room to a teacher in a desperate attempt to ensure it has enough staff in place for September. The lack of affordable places to live is leading to teachers leaving secure jobs in Dublin to take up temporary jobs elsewhere. The housing crisis is causing a staffing crisis in our schools and in our public services. Last year, more than €246 million in the housing capital budget was not spent and was returned to the Exchequer, money that could and should have been used to build affordable homes. Who will teach children in Dublin if teachers cannot find somewhere affordable to live?

I thank the Deputy. The Government is doing everything it can to increase the supply of housing and to make it more affordable. More than 30,000 new homes were built last year. We expect a similar number to be built this year. There is a rent credit to help with the cost of renting and loads of schemes to help people to buy. We are seeing them make a difference. There are now 300 or 400 people buying their first home every week, which is hugely encouraging.