Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The housing assistance payment scheme operates in Limerick and while it works well in some areas, it does not work very well in the city because rent limits are set much too low. According to the submission, raising the rent supplement limit by 15% would not be sufficient. What figure would Novas propose?

Accommodating one person in a two-bedroom unit is of crucial importance. In some cases, a person will need support and have someone stay in the accommodation now and again for that reason. Others living alone may have a child who stays with them on occasion. The rent limit of €375 means that such persons will not be able to rent a two-bedroom unit.

Reference was made to the Housing First policy in Limerick and the lack of social housing for use as part of the policy. Does Novas intend to deliver houses under the policy or is it hoping local authority houses will come on stream?

While I know exactly what the intensive family support service is because my constituency office deals with it almost daily, I ask the delegates to describe the service to other members. It is a fantastic facility. Most members are concerned not so much with the number of people who are homeless but the number who may become homeless. The intensive family support service provided by Novas in Limerick and elsewhere prevents a great deal of homelessness by heading it off at the pass, as it were. I ask the delegates to clarify the matter a little.