Mr. Philip Nugent:

On the idea of broadening eligibility, that has happened recently. Last year the eligibility criteria were expanded in order that those on higher incomes would be eligible. There are pros and cons.

One of the downsides to raising the income threshold is that immediately waiting lists grow because more people are now eligible for social housing. There is an immediate downside. The Department can see the positives in terms of a better social mix. Mistakes have been made in the past with the creation of mono-tenure housing estates. People from a similar income group have been left in large estates and years later they require regeneration. Hundreds of millions of euro have been invested in the regeneration of Ballymun because of the approach taken initially to social housing. We recognise that social mix is a requirement of social housing and that a greater blend of social housing tenants is necessary.