Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Fiach Mac Conghail for his kind comments and I note his views. I have already spoken about the transfer policies and how they will be dealt with. My remarks are on the public record. I appreciate the Senator's having raised this issue with me.

I acknowledge Senator Hayden's vast experience in this area as chairperson of Threshold. She has brought great insight to the entire debate. I note her views on disputes and how they are dealt with, and also her view on the disadvantage older tenants might feel they are at under the current system. We must try to improve the system continuously to try to give everybody a chance to gain access to housing.

Senator Hayden described the benefits of the HAP scheme and clarified the matter. I could not do so any better. There was some controversy about the scheme initially but the points of contention have been clarified very significantly by the Senators and my predecessor, now the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O’Sullivan, on a number of occasions. The scheme will certainly enhance access to quality housing for those who might not have had it previously.

Senator Cáit Keane also referred to the HAP scheme. I note and support her comments. Addressing domestic violence is a complex legal matter. The Senator heard my comments on it earlier. Anti-social behaviour is always a challenge and will remain so. We all need to work together with communities, local authorities and tenants to ensure we tackle it as much as possible.

I thank the members of the Opposition for their contributions on the Bill. All views are valued and need to be taken on board. We will not always agree but it is important that we listen to one another. This is an important Bill that provides for innovative and necessary changes to social housing supports and assistance. It has been a challenging task to make progress on the legislation, particularly in respect of the ambitious timelines set for implementing the new HAP. In that context, I wish to express gratitude to all who have been involved in the process. I thank in particular my predecessor Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, the Minister for Education and Skills, for the work she has done in seeing this Bill most of the way through the Houses of the Oireachtas. I thank all Senators for their views and insights during the consideration of this necessary legislation.

I wish to reassure further those who have raised concerns. With regard to the seven local authorities and the pilot scheme, there will be a review at the end of the year and a full evaluation of how the processes involved are working. Any deficiencies or shortcomings will then be identified and addressed as soon as possible.