Varadkar should clarify ‘misleading’ comments, says O’Callaghan

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar should clarify the misleading statements he made this morning, says Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan.

Deputy O’Callaghan says that Minister Varadkar was wrong to suggest the Government had listened to advice from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) on increasing funding for housing.

“On Morning Ireland today, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar claimed the Government had listened to advice from the ESRI to significantly increase investment in housing.

“This is simply not the case,” he said.

“In June, the ESRI called on the Government to double the capital spending on state-provided housing from €2bn to €4bn.

“They set out that it would be prudent for the state to borrow up to €7bn a year to invest in housing and infrastructure.

“The total housing budget for 2021 was just over €3 billion – €2 billion in capital spend and €1 billion current.

“Housing for All allocates €12bn in direct exchequer funding over the next four years or €3 billion a year. There is no new money here,” he said.

“Housing for All contains no significant increase in direct exchequer funding over what was already allocated in last year’s budget.

“Let’s be very clear – the advice from the ESRI and others has been ignored not followed.

“The Government should be straight and honest with people about their plans.

“It is clear they are not following the ESRI’s advice, and they are not going to invest the kind of money required to build the large number of affordable and social houses we so badly need.

“Tánaiste Leo Varadkar should clarify the misleading statements he made this morning.”