Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In response to Deputy Funchion's last question on property rights, that touches on Article 43. I have a degree of sympathy with her question but we also need real data and there are specific questions in the census, which will come through in a few months and will help with this. Working with local authorities we will be able to zone in on empty, derelict properties. We might be able to put a more comprehensive plan in place as a result of that.

Rural homelessness is an issue and, in fairness to Mr. Kenny and the team in the Department, we have plans in place across the country which give local authorities the capacity to source properties as close as possible to the individuals involved. In many cases the needs are complex but working with the HSE and other agencies they have the capacity to source properties and those people are treated as a priority. They have the capacity to do that and will be facilitated in whatever way possible.

I take what the Deputy says about rent supplement. It is a very interesting comment, which I will note. The Deputy asked for statistics for targets. The document I issued shows the targets up to 2017. It is a two year list. We will break it down by year if necessary. Carlow has a funding allocation of €20 million and Kilkenny has €43.5 million.