Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is absolutely nowhere in Galway city where a property can be rented for that price.

In reality, €575 is paid directly into the landlord's pocket with a discretionary 20% extra going into his or her pocket. In addition, the tenant will pay the differential rent to the council. He or she will pay the difference between the sum of €575 and the market rent into the landlord's pocket. In fact, the housing assistance payment actively condones cash payments to the landlord or landlady. Does the Secretary General agree?