Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I have one final point about the place finder service. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan was the Minister when the legislation establishing the housing assistance payment was introduced. We argued in the Dáil that HAP was a fantasy and a measure such as a place finder service was required, although we did not have a name for it then. We have been told a few times by the Minister that there was a place finder service in Dún Laoghaire. I am bemused to discover, therefore, that the council is only now employing a person for the service. I do not understand this. Having been told in this room that there was a place finder service in Dún Laoghaire, we are now being told that the council is about to employ someone for a place finder service. I would like this mystery explained. What exactly will the place finder service do? I want it to help those who come in with reams of lists of places they have tried and failed to rent. I want an answer to be given to such persons, one which may involve raising the cap to enable them to secure a place. I want some system in place for a person who is making an effort in order that he or she is told, "Tough luck". There has to be something more than that. Will a place finder service do that?