Ms Lisa Hone:

Due to time constraints, we have tried to concentrate on the key issues. The first thing is the 100%. We hear over and over again that it is 100%. It is categorically not 100%. The Government's 100% is 100% and then there is a big parenthesis after that, a big bracket, which says "except X, Y and Z". It is not 100%. That must be addressed because, as we have outlined, there is almost no one going through this process already who is not looking for additional finance. We are not talking about insignificant amounts of money. We are talking about tens of thousands of euro.

I gave the example of a homeowner who has slightly more than 1,200 sq. ft. That is a real-life example of someone who is going through the building process right now. It is as current as I can get. It is real. It is actually generous because it does not include some other costs the homeowner has taken on. The finances have to be bottomed out. They must be bottomed out or you have to come in and do an end-to-end scheme. You have to be able to allow people to move forward, because at the moment, people are cobbling things together and looking for additional finance.

We heard last week about the issues with the banks and so on. That is a roadblock. If it is not resolved, it will continue to be a roadblock, especially for those who have very limited access to savings or being able to raise a loan. They are absolutely trapped, as colleagues in other areas have said. What do they do? What is the answer from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for somebody who is looking at maybe a €30,000, €40,000 or €50,000 shortfall, who does not have access to finance and yet they cannot progress through?

With regard to vulnerable people, we have people in situations where they are literally trapped in their homes because there are roadblocks that will not allow them to progress. We know alternative accommodation is an issue. For many people finding accommodation is an issue anyway, but for people who have any kind of special or complex need, it is almost impossible. Therefore they are trapped.