Ms Emily O'Reilly:

Yes, absolutely. We have looked at many issues pertaining to the allocation of housing during the years and noticed the different approaches that tend to be taken in different areas. We have always sought to have these systems rationalised and made clear in order that people know exactly where they are on a list, the reason they are on that list and what are the criteria. I am sure it is the Deputy's experience that people are often confused as to the reason such and such a person got a house and they did not. Policy is policy and while Members of the Oireachtas decide on it, we deal with its implementation and it must be clear. We dealt with a case which has been included in the annual report in which a woman sought to move house. She had particular social problems and needed to move. We dealt with that case by asking for reports from the particular local authority and on seeing them, discerned that the authority really had indulged in a box-ticking exercise. It had not looked at her particular circumstances and made its decision based thereon. As a result of that single case, however, the local authority in question has changed its processes to make them more clear and fairer. In addition, the complainant did get onto the transfer list and was rehoused. That is quite a significant part of our work.