Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will start there and go in reverse order. I thank Deputy Ward. That is a constructive suggestion. I will check when the review is due to be completed and see if we can make progress on the idea of a social housing passport. I am aware in parts of my constituency as well that county boundaries sometimes do not reflect the way people live their lives and where they work, go to school and so on.

Deputy Murnane O'Connor raised the issue of the need for an upgrade of Bagenalstown wastewater treatment plant. I will get her an update on that, and I take the point she makes about the importance of having infrastructure in place for housing.

As Deputy McAuliffe has said, it is important to acknowledge the 100,000 homes that have been delivered in the lifetime of Government. While we all know we have more to do, these are real homes that people and families are living in. People who did not have a home previously are now in a home. That is worth acknowledging. I will raise with the Minister for housing the Deputy's view that the LDA and Dublin City Council need to come together to provide a solution for the old Ballymun shopping centre site. I will ask for his view also but I am sure that is an issue of concern for Deputy's constituents at a time we need to develop more homes.

Deputy Barry raised rent pressure zones. He is factually correct that they are due to lapse later this year.

They are working well. As the Government has not formally made a decision on them, I do not want to pre-empt it, but I see their merit. I would like a decision made early to provide absolute clarity for people. However, the matter requires a Government decision. The rent pressure zones have played an important role and the need for them continues. That is my view.

Deputy Ó Murchú raised the retirement age for firefighters. I have also heard from a few in my constituency about that timeline. A lot of people who are getting near the retirement line are willing to stay on. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, is supportive of this and has worked hard to achieve it at Cabinet. I will talk to him and the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, to see about clarity, but I understand how the-----

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