Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As Deputy Michael Healy-Rae declared an interest, I will declare that I am his brother but I will tell the House honestly and truly that I will not benefit in any way from his interest.

I am glad to raise a few matters with the Minister of State. While Deputy Michael Healy-Rae gave an example of a rent of €1,000 - it can be more than that at times in Killarney - in many parts of Kerry, a property will not get more than €600 per month in rent. When that is sized up for people who own one or two houses, when they pay the tax they are left with half or perhaps less than half of that. After they pay the insurance, they are down to approximately €250 or €300. It is not worth their while.

The other issue is that if they rent out houses, they are worried they will not be able to get them back when they want. Something must be done about that. I have already spoken to the Minister of State about it. I know he is interested in doing his best in the brief he has and we will all work with him. However, something must be done about the lack of confidence among landowners or landlords. I do not like calling them landlords. I will call them house owners. They are afraid. They will not rent out their properties because they cannot get their houses back. Could the council get involved even for people who are not on the list? The council could rent from the house owner and the tenant would rent from the council or some such authority that house owners would know they would get their houses back from.

The tax-free payment of €800 that is given to people who accommodate Ukrainians should go to people who are trying to house our own people. It is important.

See this speech in context