Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I would be greatly concerned by the inclusion of this amendment to have local authorities sourcing the houses. I have come across a case in which a tenant in a private house was in receipt of rent supplement and the landlord agreed to enter the leasing scheme in respect of the house. However, the local authority told the tenant that even though she was living in it, she might not be the person who would get the house because she was not next on the housing list or her priorities were not as high as those of someone else. Were the local authorities sourcing the houses, I would be anxious that it would take too long to get to the applicant and people would be left homeless unless the authorities could act far quicker. Consequently, I believe tenants should continue to be allowed to source the houses.