Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)

I join in the congratulations offered to the Minister and Ministers of State on their appointments. It definitely appears as though the Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, is carrying all the weight today in the Chamber. I welcome the increase in the income limits that was introduced last week and I had submitted this question just before I learned of them. However, placing such income limits on applicants for social housing at such a low level will place an unfair burden on people in low-paid jobs. Does the Minister of State agree that having such low levels will bring difficulties in light of the difficulties people are experiencing in accessing finance to purchase houses, even though house prices have collapsed? The difficulties in raising finance and mortgages in the market place have been well documented in this House and having such low income limits will have a seriously detrimental effect on people who are in great need of housing and where the private housing market is substandard and does not provide for their needs.

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