Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail)
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I was disappointed to hear from the Department officials last week that they are re-examining the eligibility criteria for the local authority housing list. It is a massive issue. I felt the Minister's response today was a little negative. The current system in regard to the local authority housing lists is unfair. In some counties, there are up to 30,000 people on the housing waiting lists. In my own county, there are 27,500 people on the housing waiting list. The Minister's figures do not add up. In regard to the rent pressure zones, the Department has identified 14 pressure zones in need of additional help. All the local authorities need rent pressure zones in their areas. To give some local authorities extra help is an injustice to the other local authorities that are crying out for it.

As I stated earlier, I have major concerns about HAP. Some landlords will not accept tenants who are in HAP. Under pillar 2 €70 million is provided for the purchase of vacant properties. We were told 330 properties are under bid and that contracts in regard to 130 have been closed. There are vacant houses in many estates in which anti-social behaviour is taking place because the local authorities do not have the power to have them boarded up.

They cannot get it boarded up because they have no power. There are so many big issues in local authority estates, or in any estates, that are just not getting dealt with and that the Minister needs to address.