Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister's programme is excellent and focused and is driven by the Department. The latter must continue to be the case. Some local authorities around the country are excellent, while others have poor records. The key point is the Minister's management of the process throughout the country. There are different demands in different areas. Obviously, the level of demand and the pressures that exist in some areas are more significant than in other areas.

I want to comment on the question of the rapid-build homes. I represent a constituency in which such structures were built in the past. Some of these homes do not have chimneys or front or back gardens. A number of them literally fell apart after a short number of years because there was no proper structure to them. I visited the ones in the Fingal area. I am not a professional in any respect but, having examined them as best I could, they seem to be excellent. They seem to fit in extremely well with the local environment and are high quality in the context of energy conservation. On first inspection, I very much liked what I saw. I would agree with the proposal that we would continue to build those houses. If they have the 60-year warranty which the Minister said applies to them, then that is good enough for me and for everybody else.

There are a number of issues relating to local authorities. I agree with my colleague, Senator Murnane O'Connor. I would make two points. I agree with her passion about this matter issue because she deals with people on a day-to-day basis at her clinic. Many of the points she made are made to me at my clinic. I am sure that is the case at other members' clinics as well. In terms of the detail, it might be helpful if local authorities were to examine some of the points and have been made and communicate with us, through their representative association, on the very real problems that exist.

I have one additional problem - I do not know whether anybody else has encountered it - whereby a returned emigrant who sold his property before he left the country cannot now get on the housing list because he previously owned a home. We are trying to attract emigrants back to the country. I thank God that this year we will have more people coming into the country than left it, but they will not be able to get houses because they cannot get on the housing lists. There is an issue in this regard which we must address.

The other matter I want to address - it goes to the heart of Senator Murnane O'Connor's point - is the fundamental issue of respect for housing applicants and for families, particularly in the context of acknowledging their needs. Local authorities should not continue to conduct business through hatches at their offices because all of those in the vicinity can hear every detail of an individual's problems. People can become very distressed as a result of what happens. There must also be an adequate number of properly trained staff - the point in this regard was well made by the Minister - to deal with those who have social issues - for example, a drug addiction - or family problems. As the Minister correctly stated, it would be good if we could get those who are homeless to return to the homes they may have come but only if they feel safe in them. That is hugely important but nothing is currently being done about it. People come into my clinic and I understand the issues they face. If there was a proper, professionally-run agency to which one could direct them, it would be of great assistance. Local authorities have traditionally offered a sympathetic ear. However, that is no longer the case because of the sheer number of applicants. As a result, the matter is just not being dealt with properly. On foot of the fact that we will not solve the housing crisis overnight, we need to address the issues to which I refer and ensure that people are afforded the respect and understanding to which they are entitled.

Unfortunately, I may have to go soon. I am of the view that we may need to discuss this matter again. We may not finish our deliberations today even though that is our wish. It is hugely important that the committee engage in open discussions of this nature.

I reiterate what I said earlier, namely, that the Minister is grasping the nettle. I very much welcome that. His job is not easy and, obviously, there will be lots of criticism. However, the Minister is taking the correct route. The funding is bring provided but there is a need for empathy and the understanding. The need is being met, in terms of what we want to do, by everybody present at this meeting. The programme put forward by the Minister is excellent and it will drive a solution to this problem in an open, transparent and accountable way. It is in this room that the accountability resides. The Minister's programme is the way forward.