Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

So it is responsible for the private housing organisations. We all know who the approved housing bodies are. Essentially, most Government funding is being channelled through them for house construction and long-term leasing, as opposed to the local authorities. We will have a major gap if they or their representatives are not in the room.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection still pays up to €250 million for rent supplement, not to mind the substantial amounts of money being paid in HAP. The issues are all connected. Perhaps we will not get everything covered in one meeting. I would hate to have a discussion here without the approved housing bodies. If they are the main agents to deliver houses then they must be present. Perhaps we could leave rent supplement and HAP for another meeting. I would prefer to start by having everyone present and they can come back if need be.