Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Many of the concerns I want to address have been raised and the Minister has addressed some of them. The biggest issue is that he must see there has been a change in circumstances. There is such demand for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme because there is a new homelessness. I previously raised this issue with the Minister and I did so with the Department two years ago. Certain people do not qualify for local authority housing lists. There has not been a review of the threshold for local authority housing lists in seven years. I know I constantly bring that up, but it is an unacceptable state of affairs. We are here today while people are panicking. More than 500 people have been approved for the scheme but have been left in limbo. Can the Minister guarantee that those 500 persons who have been approved for a mortgage under the scheme but have not received payment will get their money? Yesterday, the Taoiseach stated that he had to consult with the Central Bank to see if it was comfortable to go beyond the current €200 million fund. However, he did not make any commitments in that regard, which is of concern.

The Minister addressed affordable housing this in his opening speech. He stated:

On affordable purchase, I have commenced the relevant provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, the effect of which is to place the new scheme for affordable purchase on a statutory footing. I expect the associated regulations and guidance to issue to local authorities shortly.

What is the timescale in that regard? The lack of affordable housing is a very serious issue that was raised by other members. Each of the 31 local authorities now has a vacant homes officer. What is the role of those officers? I seek clarification for the members of the committee who have many concerns regarding vacant homes. As the Minister knows, this is a big issue and timescale is the most significant element of it.

The Minister has discussed Project Ireland 2040 and the national planning framework on many occasions, referencing regional assemblies and the spatial and economic strategies, which are welcome. However, as I have stated on several occasions, it is very difficult to justify the inclusion of rent pressure zones in the 2040 framework plan when they are not in place in local authority areas such as Carlow and neighbouring counties. There is no balance. No matter how the Minister tries to explain it, there is no balance in one county having rent pressure zones but a neighbouring county not. County Carlow does not have a rent pressure zone. This is a massive issue.

The problem has gotten to the stage that I suspect the figures for homelessness are wrong. Many people are being taken off housing lists. The Minister stated that he expects demand for HAP to drop. The reason for that drop is that, for example, the threshold for HAP in my area of Carlow is €27,500 and many people do not qualify for it. This is why the mortgage schemes are so important. People are becoming homeless because they do not qualify for the local authority housing list. They must pay €1,000 rent per month because they do not get HAP as they are not on the housing list. The result is that they cannot save for a mortgage, which puts them in no-man's land. These are people who go to work early and do their best, but do not fit in anywhere. This is where the system is failing. It is an area we badly need to address. I acknowledge that I always focus on my area of the country.

On local authorities not meeting targets set by the Department, I was in contact with the Department last week and it was very beneficial. I wish to compliment the official I dealt with and her team. I learned a lot from the meeting and the concerns I raised were addressed. Every local authority is given targets for 2017, 2018 and 2019. What happens when they do not meet those targets? For example, I raised with the official the issue of 63 houses that were a target for Carlow County Council two years ago.

We are still trying to sort these issues out. When the Minister comes to Carlow, it is a bit like Groundhog Day. We announce these, the Minister comes, turns the sod and then opens them, which is very welcome. We are getting project after project, but they were in 2017 and 2018 and now they will go to 2019. Is there a system in place such that the Minister can address this with any local authority? I am not just referring to Carlow because my colleagues in Carlow are great and I work well with them. What is the timescale? When the Department looks for figures and the progress report on each local authority, what timescale is given to local authorities? Does the Minister say that projects have been on the agenda for three years and ask why they have not been done? Does he ask what accountability has been provided for? We are dealing with people's lives and homes. One's home is one's castle. If one cannot get things right with local authorities, that will not work with the public. The Minister's main route to getting figures is from the 31 local authorities. Will he address that for me?

Overall, our homeless figures are wrong. Many people are living at home, sharing, and are not being put on local authority housing lists. I have a significant problem with homelessness. What qualifies as homelessness when a person goes to a local authority? It appears that some local authorities can determine that people are homeless while others do not. There is significant confusion. I have an issue with the housing assistance payment, HAP, but, as the Minister said, it keeps people from being on the streets and we need to address it further. County Carlow borders counties Laois and Wicklow. People come to me who cannot find a house in Carlow and have to go to Laois, despite being on the Carlow local authority housing list. They might only go two miles, not five or ten, but they do not qualify to get HAP and are told to go to another neighbouring county. When people go to a neighbouring county, they will be told they cannot go on the housing list because they do not have a connection with the county. Many issues are not being sorted. Will the Minister and his Department try to make a policy that will balance out every local authority? These issues are becoming serious and people are becoming homeless through no fault of her own. We have to look after everybody. Everybody deserves a home whether or not he or she works but it is harder for people who are trying to get on the housing list and do not qualify.