Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Department might keep us updated on its talks with the Department of Health about the fair deal scheme. I am coming from a slightly different angle to Deputy O'Dowd on this. In my area, no more than anywhere else, there is a high proportion of empty units due to people who are in the fair deal system. Of the roughly 25,000 people, we do not how many might still have a partner or family member in the house. Obviously, we would not go near that. I presume it would not be compulsory for people to rent out their homes and that the option would merely be made available to them if they wanted it. As is, if a parent is in a nursing home, the complete liability falls to another family member to maintain that property and look after the tenants for very little return. I welcome that the Department is exploring that option. I believe that in central areas it might pick up a few homes - mostly family homes, I imagine - in a non-compulsory manner. I presume that would be the way it will proceed.