Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the State aid issue, I am critical of the State aid rules and regulations. For example, in regard to housing in this country we are restricted in the degree to which we can provide local authority housing, which is the traditional method of housing provision in this country. This is part of the taxation policy of this country and adjoining countries. It has always been the case that people in a particular income category can avail of local authority housing, thereby reducing their requirement for a wage increase at any particular time. This provision is badly restricted at this time and what we are doing is not good value for money. We are paying €500 million to €600 million per annum for rental accommodation, which is current expenditure repeated every year that will continue ad infinitum.I believe this was a wrong decision and that it is hampering this country dealing with a serious and sensitive issue. This restriction is bad in terms of value for money. We would be far better off spending €2 billion in capital expenditure over a four-year period and removing that annual burden and in doing so we would accommodate many more people.