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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. |