John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have had officials from the Department of Social Protection and representatives of Threshold in before the committee this morning and we discussed with them the issue around the State payments, whether it be the rental accommodation scheme, RAS or HAP. We asked the officials from the Department of Social Protection to submit in writing recommendations they believe would be an improvement to give people who are dependent on those supports an equal opportunity. I ask the representatives to do likewise. We are trying to ensure people who are dependent on State supports, whether it be RAS, rent supplement or the HAP scheme, on presenting at a property will have an equal opportunity. The witnesses have given a number of reasons they do not have an equal opportunity. I ask that they submit those in writing. We want to put those together with the recommendations that will come from the Department of Social Protection to make something meaningful happen.