Dr. Aideen Hayden:

When we talk about an NCT system, we mean an NCT-style system. Senator Grace O'Sullivan is correct in that it is very much to do with certificates of compliance.

One does not wait to be caught by a garda on the road to see if one's brakes fail. We want to know that the brakes work before somebody gets into the car. Similarly, we want to know that the property is safe before somebody resides in it. That is, in effect, where we got the NCT moniker.

With regard to under-occupancy, I will not answer for the social housing sector but it has certainly been a difficulty for a long time. Many single people are living in the private rented sector because, historically, much social housing has been geared towards families and tends to be in the three-bedroom style. It is important that, as we look at the change in demographic profiles, single people should not be confined to the private rented sector. When a three-bedroom property comes back to a local authority, it should be reviewed to see if it can be subdivided into two single units, for example. There is no logical reason to take back a three-bedroom property and put it back out as another three-bedroom property. There is an issue with single people being trapped in the private rented sector.

I am glad that the Senator raised the issue of rent, which is of huge concern to Threshold. It is important that affordability in the rental sector is addressed. We have seen a commitment from Government to the introduction of affordable rental housing. We have yet to see any detail as to what that will be. There is no question or doubt that we increasingly see people come in who are in jobs and are seriously at risk of homelessness because they cannot afford to put a roof over their heads. That has to be addressed. We also want to see effective implementation of the rent pressure zone legislation. We have made numerous proposals to the Government about this. That has to work effectively if we are to have any possibility whatsoever, in a market where we will not see adequate supply for a period, of making sure that people are not forced into positions where they go without food and necessities to pay rent.