12. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of cost rental homes delivered in Balbriggan in each of the past five years. [53572/25]

Sentiment score: 0.03

My question is, as I generally try to make them, fairly straightforward. For the avoidance of any doubt, the question refers to delivery for the previous five years, specifically to the tenure of the Minister's predecessor. It was the same Government but a different Minister. Plans for the future do not need to be included in this. I just want the figure, which I suspect is quite a round figure, of cost-rental deliveries in the town of Balbriggan.

Sentiment score: -0.17

If the answer is "zero", will the Minister just say it? Is he embarrassed or ashamed? I would be if I was sitting where he is but I do not think the Government knows any shame. The answer is "zero". As we are here this morning, the average rent in north County Dublin is €2,223. The Minister might tell me who is going to be able to afford that rent because people on an ordinary income simply cannot. Even if they could scrape together all of that money, they would absolutely never be able to save for a deposit on a house because to the Minister's mind, an affordable house is more than €500,000. If the answer is "zero" for the past five years with regard to cost-rental homes for Balbriggan, one of the fastest growing towns in this State, the Minister should at least have the decency to be honest with me and my constituents and tell them the figure is zero. He can ramble on about the Balbriggan strategy, Quay Street and all of that. We are well aware of that. We know that. I asked the Minister a very specific question and I am seeking a fairly specific answer.

Sentiment score: 0.01

I want an answer from the Minister.

Sentiment score: 0.08

I want an answer. I am entitled to an answer.

Sentiment score: 0.18

How does the Minister think it happened?

Sentiment score: 0.00

That does not answer my question. Can the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach direct the Minister to answer my question please?

Sentiment score: 0.16

I am entitled to-----

Sentiment score: 0.27

Could the Minister stop that nonsense? I have to face the people in my constituency who are facing homelessness.

Sentiment score: -0.30

These amateur dramatics on the Minister's part will not build a single house. He knows it.

Sentiment score: 0.00

The Minister should suigh síos. His time is up.

Sentiment score: 0.00

The Minister should check the clock.

Sentiment score: 0.00

Check the clock.

Sentiment score: 0.00

The Minister acknowledges that there is an affordability problem. Mother of Jesus. He acknowledges that there is a viability problem. Does he know what the problem is? We have a Government problem. The people in Balbriggan are at the business end of a Government-sponsored problem. The average cost of rent in north County Dublin is €2,223. I asked the Minister a simple question: how many cost-rental homes have been delivered in Balbriggan in the last five years? Not only did I ask the Minister the question, I gave him a week to answer it and to do research. The answer, the Minister and I both know, is "zero". He has delivered zero by way of cost-rental homes for people living in Balbriggan and that is why they are in my constituency office day in, day out, telling me they are facing eviction. Mothers are telling me their kids are going to have to emigrate because they cannot afford to live in north County Dublin and that is on the Minister.

Sentiment score: -0.21

Yes, and supported the people who said they were building 40,000 homes.

Sentiment score: 0.61

If the answer is "zero", the Minister could say it and sit down.

Sentiment score: 0.00

He could just say "zero".

Sentiment score: 0.00