Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to clarify the matter for Senators. As I said in respect of amendment No. 10, the purpose of prescribing an appropriate number in regulations as opposed to primary legislation is to allow for flexibility if needed to change the number set where it becomes impractical. Two refusals is a reasonable number so as not to disadvantage other households on the waiting list in being offered available accommodation by a housing authority where a household with a higher priority continues to refuse reasonable offers of accommodation. A reasonable offer from a housing authority is one of a house in the household's area of choice which meets its housing needs. It is difficult to see how a household could reasonably refuse an offer that meets both of these criteria. I remain of the view that permitting two refusals of reasonable offers of accommodation by a household maintains the appropriate balance.

I am happy to take on board the views of Senators on the interaction between local authority housing offices and tenants prior to the making of offers. Unfortunately, I cannot accept the amendment and ask the Senator to withdraw it.