Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to be present for the Committee Stage debate. On Second Stage I referred to this Bill as substantial legislation and a significant change in how we delivered housing support. I will briefly outline some of the issues covered in the amendments that I will move, particularly the additional aspects relating to the operation of the housing assistance payment, HAP, the legal framework for which is provided by the Bill. These provisions were still under development during our Second Stage debate. The first of two particular amendments will provide for a formal internal review process in respect of certain decisions on the operation of the HAP. The second will make the necessary amendments to the social welfare code subsequent to the introduction of the HAP. There are also a number of amendments to section 49 on foot of views expressed by the Minister for Social Protection during the consultation process on the Bill. These amendments are, in the main, designed to streamline the legislative provision for direct deduction in order to bring it into line with legislative and operational requirements in the Department of Social Protection. We have also tabled an amendment to allow the Housing Finance Agency to lend to the Local Government Management Agency. A number of other minor amendments will be tabled, as is the case on most Bills. That is the general scope of the amendments I propose to make to the Bill.