Mr. Tommy Ryan:

Deputy Ellis referred to the sending of letters to partners who are in the process of separating. Roscommon County Council does not issue letters saying that such people qualify for social housing. However, we have an arrangement with the Department of Social Protection and the community welfare officers whereby they look favourably on any applications for rent supplement made by such people. While we do not formally issue letters to such people telling them they qualify for social housing until the issue of the ownership of the family home has been resolved, there is still an arrangement in place with the community welfare officers to ensure they are not left in a position in which they are unable to provide accommodation for themselves.