Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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There has been much commentary about rapid builds. We have plans for 500 of these. A lot of learning was accrued from the first set of them but they are excellent houses and the fastest ever built. To be frank, one pays for time. Another tender is out at the moment and I believe it will create other economies and learnings that will ensure that there are even more savings. I understand there is greater competition this time around. Last time around, there was only one respondent. It was a case of either do it or do not do it. As we are sitting here, 22 families are viewing the houses they have been allocated today. We all talk about the need to do this. In fairness, there are 22 families with children viewing the houses today. That is the pendulum. I believe that will certainly work its way through and that it is a very progressive thing to do.

In respect of Deputy Butler's question on rent supplement, if we are to have a housing Minister, there is an issue relating to the protocol, the 7,670 people who came in through the upfills and the 2,030 people through the threshold who received an increase when they went to their community welfare officer. This debate is one we have had many times. I have heard varying views on it today. Does one chase the landlord, do something similar to the Central Bank rules on housing or leave it like that?

The Deputy referred to what the chief executive of County and City Management Association said. He is right because it is not just social housing. It involves the approved housing bodies doing their work and leasing but it also involves the private sector so it is a pie mix.

Local authorities have some discretion when it comes to funding to extend houses. Perhaps my successor should look at a specific scheme which will keep people in their houses that is just dedicated to extending houses. I would take that as another suggestion.

When the Minister for Finance appears before the committee, he will deal with the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund. The Deputy's last question concerned local authorities. Deputy Wallace was going to jump in and build them. Local authorities have all the control as regards getting them built as quickly as possible. Members should trust me when I say that we push them all the time to deliver units as quickly as possible. There was a major issue when I took over this Department. They needed staff and they needed them quickly. This is why over 450 staff had to be allocated. To be honest, I obviously took-----