Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have been part of the discussions at the Cabinet committee on housing on that issue, as well as all other housing related issues. I cannot give the Deputy a specific date as I do not know when the Minister intends to bring forward a proposal on that, but a proposal has not been made to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

In response to Deputy Boyd Barrett's question about whether the fiscal implications are the reason there has not been an outcome to date, I do not believe that is the reason. Of course, we always have to assess the expenditure implications of any decision, but that has not been the main issue in the discussions to which I have been a party in the committee. We are awaiting the outcome of that review and it is a matter for the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to bring that forward. In the meantime, as the Deputy is aware, we are expending very substantial Exchequer resources through the HAP, RAS, rent supplement and social leasing. All of those supports are being provided. I cannot give Deputy Boyd Barrett a specific date as I do not have it, but I am satisfied that his inference, that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has been blocking bringing forward the outcome of the review, is not the case.