Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2022
273. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education her views on the concerns raised by organisations (details supplied) in respect of the effect of a lack of housing on the delivery of education services. [60149/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government acknowledges that the housing issue and the current price pressures present particular challenges and are a source of concern for all public service workers, including staff in the education sector. Housing remains a priority matter for Government, led by my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The Housing for All strategy delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to step up housing supply and put affordability at the heart of the housing system, with an ambitious target of 300,000 homes over the next decade for social, affordable and cost rental, private rental and private ownership housing. It will see 54,000 affordable home interventions which includes 36,000 affordable purchase and 18,000 cost rental homes to be delivered between now and 2030 by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through ‘First Home’ a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
In terms of any specific measures for public servants, there are ongoing discussions with the public service unions on any and all matters relating to the national collective agreements. Any review or changes to pay, or other pay mechanisms such as allowances, can occur only under those processes and any such proposals would need to be considered in detail by my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the relevant unions.
