Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a very important question because Tallaght forms part of my area. My first question was on the 500 units available there. Having listened to the delegates, I want a statement from the housing department. Obviously, there is a social mix of 20%, which is stated policy. If we are to be creative, we always have to bear in mind that we do not want to go back to what happened in the past. People in Tallaght are worried out of their minds. It is a great place in which to live. It has great facilities, including the Luas, the hospital, educational facilities and so on. I seek an assurance that social integration will be provided for in any policy on NAMA units, wherever they are located, particularly where 500 units are to be brought on stream. The social cohesion of society must be prioritised. I want to have the up-in-the-air vision out of the way in terms of the 500 units in Tallaght being automatically transferred en bloc for social housing.

My second question is on homelessness. I welcome the provision of the extra €10 million. Taking account of the special purpose vehicle in the various housing bodies coming together with provision for ERDF funding of 25% and the 50% loan from the finance agency, that leaves the Government with a figure of only 25%. Is the special purpose vehicle being used to put a housing block in place for homeless persons? How many units have been started and how many will be provided as the ERDF is the only vehicle available to draw down funding which is badly needed? There are more than two ways to skin a cat and get money from the European Union.

My third question is on succession. Obviously, people have a right to buy local authority houses, but this only applies to those who can afford to do so. If older people living in rented accommodation die and if grandchildren are attending school in the area, can their families inherit the property? Perhaps the delegates might make a statement on how this issue could be addressed better?

It is welcome that persons returning to employment will not lose the HAP. I understand the scheme is being rolled out to a further six local authorities. When is it envisaged that it will be rolled out to all local authorities? It has been stated by various Senators and Deputies that people who are included in the HAP and removed from the housing waiting list are worried that they may lose their place on the list. If one is homeless, one badly needs a home. If one is living in poor accommodation, one also badly needs a home. If a person is in included in the HAP scheme or the RAS, he or she has a roof over his or her head, but he or she wants to look forward to a time when he or she will have permanency. Is there a methodology in place to ensure a place on the list is not lost for those who transfer to the HAP?

I welcome the new tenant purchase scheme, but I have not seen any reference in any of the documentation to those included in the shared-ownership scheme. The delegates can correct me if I am wrong; perhaps I missed it. They are a group who were the new poor when property prices went sky high. They had some money for a deposit and entered the shared ownership scheme with local authorities, but now they are carrying the can, as local authorities take over properties. Can anything be done for such persons who are in negative equity? Something is being done for people who are in negative equity under every other scheme.

I would like to see a minimum lease term to ensure security of tenure, as happens in Germany. Perhaps we might receive a statement on that issue. Ireland is the only country in Europe in which people are afraid to rent. In every other country it is common practice. People are not scared out of their wits because they have rights that secure tenure.

Is provision made for persons who wish to self-build in a case where a family gives them a site? This was provided for in the past, but I do not know if it still applies.

I welcome the regeneration schemes. Being an ex-councillor in south Dublin, it was one area that prided itself on not having many vacant units, although there were some. The allocation of €20 million is welcome to ensure voids are upgraded and work is speeded up.