Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief because I spoke at length on Committee Stage. I welcome the Minister of State. I worked with him for many years as a member of the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht. He will make a fine Minister of State and I look forward to his deliberations.

In the media, the debate on the Bill has been dominated by the HAP scheme. Senator Aideen Hayden, chairperson of Threshold, has put it very succinctly. The Minister repeated three to five times in the Dáil the position on transfers and eligibility for transfers. As the Senator stated, the legislation will result in very many positive developments in social housing.

The issue of domestic violence needs to be accorded significant priority. It always amazes me that it is very often the woman who leaves the house where there is domestic violence, only to discover that she is ineligible for another house. Something needs to be considered in this regard.

Single men should not be forever on a housing list without any right to go up the ladder.

The issue of disputes and mediation needs to be examined. I refer to cases in which the defenceless tenant is being judged only by the local authority. A good submission has been made by the community law and mediation centre on an independent system that could be examined in this regard. I am not saying it should be achieved immediately, but we should work towards it. It should be considered, particularly in respect of mediation. Both councillors and Senators will know that many of their discussions are on anti-social behaviour. I welcome the changes in the Bill in this regard. We want to ensure that rights and responsibilities are safeguarded for both tenants and the local authority.

The HAP scheme will help to take people off the live register. It will ensure people can have their housing needs met through the system. I welcome it.