Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Boyd Barrett in some respects. Sometimes houses become vacant. People who might have significant serious medical issues might not have the time on the list so they might lose out in terms of the final allocation. There are other issues. There can be significant and adverse behavioural issues, such as where somebody has been targeted as a result of drug abuse or their family has been involved with drugs in some way and they need to make a fresh start, but they cannot get out. There are issues like that which are quite complex.

The other point is that I understand that local authorities dictate to the approved housing body who does and does not get the house. There is no discretion there. I would not have a problem with discretion for people who are in extremisand have major family problems, such as anti-social behaviour problems of an unusual and special character. I am aware of those in my constituency. There might be room for more flexibility when those houses are allocated. This does not happen often, but it does happen and it would recognise the right of approved housing bodies to take those issues into consideration. It is important that this benchmark should be there. They should have some flexibility, but limited and only in special circumstances.