In the worked example mentioned, Sinn Féin wants €206 per sq. ft., which means there is a €2 billion shortfall in Deputy Ó Broin's own budget regarding capital for housing. If we accept the premise of what the Sinn Féin team has said here in the Senate, I look forward to €5.012 billion being provided in Sinn Féin's alternative budget at the end of September.

That is not how one should treat the Cathaoirleach.

I will raise an issue around domestic septic tanks that has come to my attention. The Environmental Protection Agency has been highly critical of the number of inspections that local authorities have been able to carry out throughout the country, and the fact many septic tanks are failing inspections, yet remediation action has not been taken. Domestic septic tanks had to be registered before 1 February 2013. The issue that has been brought to my attention is grants are not available for those not registered before…

The Minister has been very clear on this issue, to be fair. He stated on the record of this House and in the Dáil that the exercise is being carried out by the National Standards Authority of Ireland, NSAI. If it is found that there are issues with foundations, then foundations will be included in the scheme. That point has been very well made.

There is obviously an issue in terms of construction inflation but it is interesting to note that this scheme is providing €165 per square foot. Sinn Féin proposed, in its housing policy and budget of last year, to build 20,000 homes at a cost of €2.9 billion. That works out as €123 per square foot. The Government is putting in place a scheme that is more than 35% higher than what Sinn Féin costed in its budget for the building of 20,000 homes. Perhaps it can magically build homes for 35% less than what they propos…

It is to the amendment. We are specifically talking about cost inflation. If we accept that there is cost inflation in the market, we also have to acknowledge that if it is 35% above what Sinn Féin provided for in November 2021, then the party was not providing enough in the first place, which we all know is the case. I look forward to the Minister's response on this. I know the scheme is adaptable in order to provide for inflation. It is important when discussing all of today's amendments that we are mindful of ho…

When homeowners were before the Oireachtas joint committee a few weeks ago, this issue was raised. I discussed it with one of witnesses, a gentleman from Donegal, for quite some time after we concluded the proceedings. I understood the point being made that, on the face of it, in the case of a 120 sq. m home, the State was committing to put redress in place for that figure, so why not allow a homeowner changing to a 90 sq. m. dwelling to avail of the figure relating to 120 sq. m. It was only when I took the issue a…

Does Sinn Féin think houses can be built for €123 per square foot?

Senator Gavan stated that works must be completed within 78 weeks. In fact, the legislation provides that works necessary to carry out the approved remediation option must commence within 78 weeks. That time limit relates to commencement of works, not their completion. There is a big difference between what the Senator has said on the record and what is set out in the legislation. Perhaps he did not read it.

Last week, we launched the first home share equity scheme, which is aimed at bridging the affordability gap between the maximum mortgage an individual or couple can get from a lending institution and the cost of a new property. That can obviously be combined with the help to buy scheme, which has assisted more than 33,000 households across the country in purchasing their first home, including 830 in my constituency of Waterford. It is obviously disappointing the Opposition opposes both schemes, which are aimed at h…

I welcome the Minister and thank him for bringing forward this very important legislation which will help many thousands of families right across the country, particularly in affected counties. While the passage of this legislation has encountered some opposition in the Lower House over the allocated time given to debate it, it is important to note and to acknowledge the extensive work that was carried out by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which carried out three extensive…

No.

I did not say that.

On a point of order and to correct the record, I did not state what the Senator has just said I did.

I can show the Senator my transcript if she wants.

That is not what Senator Boylan just said I said a second ago.

The Senator is trying to misrepresent me.

Not particularly, no.

I want to clarify, Acting Chairperson, exactly what I said about foundations. I stated: Gone is the sliding scale, and foundations and other materials are being reviewed by the National Standards Authority of Ireland, NSAI. The scheme can be changed by regulation if required.

That is what I stated on the record of the House and I would like that to be clarified.