Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for their presentations. I, too, wish to refer to medical applications, particularly when they come across the delegates' desks. Many of the applicants I come across are ineligible. One cannot even read some of the applications, to be honest. With the greatest of respect to general practitioners, I do not believe letters from general practitioners have any input into the granting of medical priority. If somebody is attending a doctor or consultant, one of the main issues is the length of time it takes to get a medical report, or a medical assessment of children with ADHD. That takes so long.

Mr. Sweetman spoke about local authorities, those who pay and those who just will not pay. This can be said also in respect of local authority housing. Mr. Dick Brady from Dublin City Council was before us three weeks ago. We learned that the amount of money owed in rent arrears to Dublin City Council amounts to millions of euro. This is a real issue that should be examined by the councils right across the country. Housing is being provided for people who just do not want to pay. There are people in arrears for other reasons, but there are many who just do not want to pay.

We can talk until the cows come home, as they say, but unless there is action and we have the land to build on, there will be no progress. As a member of the Government side, I note that a lot of money has been provided in my local area for building and buying houses, but we need a more urgent approach. That is why this committee has been set up.

What are the delegates' views, if any, on local authority housing and on local authorities building all housing for everybody? I really believe that the chance of a local authority tenant, public tenant or a member of a young couple in private accommodation who is working his or her back off ever owning his or her own property is slim. What does Mr. Sweetman feel about local authorities building and providing a rent-to-buy mortgage option for young couples, be they employed or unemployed? It is important and it is the way to go.