Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have to go beyond the Pale with this because this is a real issue. The real problem arising in more rural counties, such as counties Laois or Offaly, is that the threshold for social housing is very low. It starts at €480. It is €506 for a couple. Once a person's income is more than €506 he or she cannot get on a local authority housing waiting list and we do not have answers for such people. They are trapped for years. There are lands available. There are seven land aggregation scheme sites in County Laois, where they are transferred over into the NAMA for local authorities. They are there. Some of those sites are suitable. I also bring Mr. O'Connor's attention to a site being purchased by the local authority in Portlaoise, a substantial site on the Stradbally Road. There is potential there. I have raised it with the management of the council and am using the opportunity today to raise it with the various officials. We need cost rental on that. I spoke to the director of services and the county manager about this recently. Maybe Mr. Doyle and the Department can look at it. Here is an opportunity to do this model in a more rural county. It is a good site and a great chance to do it. Might he take that up?