Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. Perhaps they would outline the policy on one-off rural housing which is provided by local authorities that have no money. This is pertinent in County Mayo. There are people in substandard housing who could do with a house and who have a site but have nowhere to go. On the issue of tenant purchase, it was not clear to me from what Mr. Jerome Casey said whether he was for or against it. I think it is a good scheme. There are local authority areas of varying age in my area. Where people are allowed to buy out, there is a better mix of tenants. It allows people to aspire ultimately to buy out and own their own houses.

Most people find it easier to deal with the council than a high-street bank.

I am unsure which deputation commented on the idea that the housing associations could be brought under the remit of the Private Residential Tenancies Board and that they share the same characteristics as the housing authorities, that is, the local authorities, in terms of how they function and the service they provide. I wonder whether there is a problem with the way we support and allow our housing authorities to operate. They are operated by the councils. In my town an estate required rejuvenation. It was done well by one of the voluntary housing associations after it was handed over by the council, because the council could not access funding. The council must deal with people. Deputy Stanley referred to people from whatever background who end up coming to the council. It is unsatisfactory that housing authorities cannot get funding. The housing associations can get funding. The deputations have made suggestions and I do not blame them for that. They made reference to a Government guarantee etc. for the work they are doing. However, local authorities need to provide houses, including purpose-built units etc. but they cannot get the money. I wonder whether something is wrong with the system when we have come to rely so much on the housing associations. I realise it may be a case of asking turkeys about Christmas but I would welcome some comments. Obviously the housing associations are doing good work but it seems that there are some shortcomings.