Mr. Dick Brady:

I will deal with the first issue concerning the length of time it takes to purchase a house. Anybody who has been engaged in purchasing a house will know that the conveyancing process can be long and tortuous. Many delays in the acquisition or purchase of housing units are down to the conveyancing position and the hurdles one must surmount in order to exchange contracts and get clear title. A good deal of the delay therefore is down to the conveyancing process. Anyone who has bought a house will know that it can be a difficult and trying time.

The small works idea has been and is being used, for example, as regards interior painting of social housing. The city council scheme allows a tenant to take the house and paint the interior to their own liking. Generally speaking, we have found that when somebody walks into a social house they have been allocated, one of the first things they do is get a paintbrush and paint the interior to their own liking. There is a scheme within the city council that allows such work.

There are other issues concerning other works within a house. Given the mad world we live in, many things end up actionable. If something happens later on, one may end up with difficulties. However, there are works that can and should be done.

Interestingly, some people do not want to avail of an allowance to paint their houses. It is available and we could do other common-sense things, as the Deputy said.