Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We are here to discuss the topic of meeting the current housing demand with representatives from the Departments of Environment, Community and Local Government and Social Protection. I welcome the following witnesses from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr. Michael Layde, assistant secretary, housing division; Ms Shirley Groarke, principal officer, homelessness and housing finance; Mr. John O'Neill, principal officer, social housing reform and Ms Teresa Cawley, assistant principal officer, social housing investment operational and from the Department of Social Protection Ms Helen Faughnan, assistant secretary, supplementary welfare, southern region and Ms Jackie Harrington, principal officer supplementary welfare.
I propose to take the opening statements of the witnesses in the order I have just called.
I advise the witnesses that, by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.
The opening statements and any other documents submitted to the committee may be published on the committee's website at the conclusion of the meeting.
The issue of housing is of particular interest to the members of the committee. There have been fluctuations in the housing market for many years and the demand for housing seems to be growing again and there is a certain sense of irony, given where we are economically and socially that housing is playing this role in the present climate.
We need to develop a housing policy which, while meeting a demand in a sustainable manner, does not contribute or encourage the return of another property bubble.
This is the third in a series of meetings with stakeholders. We have invited various housing organisations and local authorities to engage with us on the topic. We hope our engagement with officials from the Departments of Environment, Community and Local Government and Social Protection will be constructive and will help us to colour the debate on the issue.
I invite Mr. Layde from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government to make his opening statement.