Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

What we are faced with at the moment, and what needs to be dealt with, is the fact that rich people are holding land while other people cannot afford to buy houses, and local authorities are not in a position to supply the number of houses needed. Large sums of money are being made on rezoned land that is needed for housing and infrastructure. Local authorities are finding it harder to get sites for social and affordable housing. However, if legislation is introduced following the recommendations of the all-party committee they will find it much easier to obtain sites for social and affordable housing. Local authorities, by the end of this month, must draw up action plans for social and affordable housing for the period 2004-08. In that context, it will be important for them to see legislation in place to address the issues with which they are obliged to deal.

An opportunity exists in respect of housing for elderly people in particular. Many elderly people are experiencing difficulties in terms of staying safely and healthily in their homes. A real opportunity exists to provide supported housing for the elderly. The Minister of State must address this matter in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children. Part of the problem with housing is that it is provided by a number of Departments. For example, the Department of Health and Children is responsible for addressing certain issues relating to the elderly and the disabled. The housing section of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is not addressing these issues and is ceding responsibility for them to the Department of Health and Children.

Deputy Lynch addressed the issue of rent subsidies. However, I wish to speak about the appalling decision by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs regarding rent subsidies. People who need such subsidies simply cannot afford to pay for housing in the private sector for six months. If the original proposal to the effect that rent and mortgage subsidies should come under the remit of local government had been implemented, there would have been no need to table the motion before the House. Local authorities understand the needs of the people who are on housing lists. Perhaps the Minister of State will indicate whether a proposal exists for his Department to assume responsibility for rent subsidies. What the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Coughlan, has done is not acceptable. My party intends to campaign vigorously to ensure that this one of the savage 16 cuts is reversed.

Members hear about examples of the matters to which I refer each day in respect of the cases with which they deal. I dealt with a case yesterday involving a young woman who is living at home in her mother's house. She and her sister have one child each and there are a number of other family members living in the house. She, her sister and their two babies are obliged to share one bedroom in a small house on a local authority housing estate. That is not acceptable. The house is overcrowded and if the young woman could have obtained a rent allowance she could have moved into private rented——

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