Ms Caroline Timmons:

Regarding how the Bill will work, we have mentioned that the appeals panel will be independent and appointed through the Public Appointments Service. Once it makes a decision, it can either direct it back to the Housing Agency or it can substitute its own decision for that of the Housing Agency, which ensures it has that particular power.

The Deputy asked about the timeline. Obviously, the Minister has said he would like to try to get this done by the end of the year. I caution that a large body of work remains to be done on regulations. We are very aware of the importance of the work. The team in the Department which has been doing this work has been working flat out for a number of months on this. We will be trying to get those regulations out as soon as possible to enable the scheme to become operational, hopefully by the end of the year. That is the timeline at this point.

I echo the Deputy's comments that peer support from people who have gone through it is always helpful with mental health issues. We will bring that comment back to the Department of Health. We have consulted that Department on the provisions of the MyMind service to homeowners. It would probably be a matter for them to consider whether they want to take that point on board. We would not have the expertise in that respect.