James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

The scheme is always being kept under review. We are only in July. I have never said that this is the end of the road for the entire year. We are always keeping this under review, but we need local authorities to do their bit.

In fairness to Deputy Hearne, I have not responded to his contribution. On the issue of affordable housing for the elderly, the Minister of State, Deputy Kieran O'Donnell, is examining that. Deputy Hearne is 100% right. What we are seeing now is a new cohort of people reaching retirement who have rented all their lives. That is an issue. The Minister of State is looking at what sort of schemes can be used. Our Department is engaging with the Department of further education on the provision of student accommodation. We have a very large cohort of students who are renting in the private sector. The ideal place for them is in purpose-built student accommodation. We are working with the Department of further education to see how we can help them deliver that type of accommodation. Student accommodation near a university is a winner for everybody, as it frees up houses for the private sector for those who need them.