Press Release: Environment   30 August 2006

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Dún Laoghaire, Environment, Justice and Latest Press Releases

Greens repeat call for Government to do more on social and affordable housing

The Green Party today reiterated its call for the Government to take action on social and affordable housing. As the Taoiseach launched a guide on affordable housing, 'Your Affordable Home Handbook,' the Green Party has pointed to this Government's extremely poor record on affordable housing provision.

Green Party Environment spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD said: "For Bertie Ahern to launch a guide on affordable housing shows considerable neck. He is the leader of a Government that has failed miserably to deliver on affordable housing.

"Of the 10,000 affordable housing units promised under the 'Sustaining Progress Affordable Housing Initiative' less than 2,000 have so far been delivered.

"If the Taoiseach had read Focus Ireland's 'Building for Inclusion' report – published at the end of last month – he would be aware that his Government's decision to water down Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 has cost the country an estimated 14,000 affordable units.

"Unfortunately, until Part V is reinstated in its original format and the issue of setting local authorities on a sound financial footing is addressed, social and affordable housing waiting lists are only likely to get longer.

"You would be forgiven for thinking that with a such a poor record on delivering affordable housing the Taoiseach would be embarrassed to launch a guide explaining to young couples how to apply for houses that his Government has failed to build," concluded Deputy Cuffe.