Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We will have an opportunity when the joint committee meets to discuss housing with the Minister so I will leave some issues until then. Looking at these figures one cannot miss the €558 million figure for the housing assistance payment, HAP. It leaps off the page. The Minister obviously inherited this system. I and other members have consistently stated that HAP accounts for the largest spend in housing. However, the people negotiating that Government procurement are some of the most vulnerable in society. Has the Minister considered how we might get better value and tenure and reduce over time the spending on housing assistance payments?

There has been consistent underspending on Traveller accommodation, often connected with local authorities. What measures has the Minister taken to change that?

Some local authorities, notably Dublin City Council, are saying they are short on funding for retrofitting. Does that match with the funding in the Estimates?

My colleagues have suggested that €110 million for the shared equity scheme is not enough, even though we have not even passed the legislation. The allocation will increase next year. Does the Minister have any idea where that budget will go?