The Taoiseach says housing remains the greatest social issue facing Ireland.
Micheál Martin was speaking in Cork this afternoon following the release of CSO figures which show the Government’s own Housing for All plan is on track to meet it’s target for new builds this year.
The CSO say there were almost 21,000 new home completions in the first three quarters of the year, with the government’s plan aiming to build around 25,000 this year, increasing to 33,000 from next year for the next 8 years.
The figure falls short of the estimated 50,000 new homes needed over the next ten years according to a report by Irish Institutional Property.
Speaking to RedFM News, Taoiseach Micheál Martin says the CSO figures are positive when factors outside Ireland are considered:
"Housing remains the greatest social issue facing us. We need more houses built - different types: social, affordable, and cost rental. The CSO figures yesterday are positive - in the sense that 20,000 plus houses in the first nine months. It looks like we will exceed our targets of 24,500this year. And that's good news. But we need more. And we have to work very hard to make sure we can get next year's target and reach next year's target. Notwithstanding all of the issues that the war has brought upon us in terms of inflationary cycles, increased custom materials, and a more difficult market overall".
