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

What I am saying is that I have not seen the outcome of the review. I have not seen a report from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the issue, so I have not seen a quantification of what the cost would be of increasing the eligibility threshold by different amounts.

I have acknowledged that in making any decision on policy, there is a need to consider what the implications are from an expenditure point of view, but that has not been the reason the outcome of the review has not been brought forward. I assume the work is not completed. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is best placed to give the Deputy a direct answer to that. We should also acknowledge that an equally important issue is the lack of accommodation opportunities. Even people who currently meet the existing qualification criteria for HAP and rental support cannot get the properties in some instances. Extending the bands is not going to resolve that issue. We have to increase supply and make sure there are more rental accommodation opportunities available for people. I will ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to come back to Deputy Boyd Barrett directly because I do not have a date as to when the outcome of the review will be brought forward. We are ready to engage on it in my Department.