Dr. Aideen Hayden:

The tenancy protection service run by Threshold in Dublin, Cork, Galway and the Dublin commuter counties is, we hope, due to be extended nationally. We are hoping to announce this shortly. That would be of a particular benefit to counties such as Carlow and Kilkenny.

It is important to understand that people coming to our tenancy protection service are deemed to be at immediate risk of losing their home. About half of them are actually working and are not in receipt of rent supplement or any other benefit. In many instances, they would be eligible for HAP. It is important to understand the payment is progressive.

Yesterday's budget announcement of another 15,000 units of HAP being provided for, underlines the reliance of the State housing programme on houses being provided in the private rental sector. As I said at the very beginning, the private rental sector is not fit for purpose. Up to 35% of all families with preschool children are living in a private rented home. The child care measures announced in yesterday's budget can be wiped out in one fell swoop with a 10% to 20% increase in rent. Up to 30% of those who attend our tenancy protection service have had increases of between 11% and 30%.

While there are welcome measures in this legislation, it is only a small part of the answer. What we really need is a long-term strategy for the rental sector which will make it fit for purpose and answers those questions.