Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me the opportunity to raise this issue. It has been a cause of concern to me for some considerable time, as I am sure it has for the Minister for Social and Family Affairs.

It relates to the application of the new rules, as annunciated in last year's budget, which imposed restrictions in regard to amount and eligibility in terms of the rent allowance scheme, thereby affecting many who would previously have qualified. In the row between the Departments of Social and Family Affairs and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government as to where responsibility should lie in the provision of housing, as evidenced by exchanges in this House, it is the applicants for this scheme who have suffered.

Typical of the current situation is that the applicant is told to seek a house for which the rent is low. A house for which the rent is €400 per month in my constituency is one which is not fit for habitation. There is no option other than an unfit house for that type of rent. Moreover, if an applicant finds a house that is rentable and supportable in the view of the local health board, he or she is forced to undergo a variety of bureaucratic turns and twists. If the applicant survives this, he or she will be exhausted and in some cases homeless.

I hope the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, is fully aware of the seriousness of this situation. I raise this issue in the knowledge that the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, has indicated in the past that he is fair and caring. A sufferer of Crohn's disease in my constituency, whose PPSN is 6857327Q, has been run around the system for the past four months. This person was refused the rent allowance and told to return in six months. It is disgraceful that his needs have not been addressed. Another constituent, whose PPSN is 6788230R, has spent most of the past 12 months attempting to apply for rent allowance. On each occasion, some excuse has been given as to why she is not entitled to avail of the scheme. This person has been chased from pillar to post by the antics of the Department of Social and Family Affairs, through the local health board.

I do not wish to denigrate any Department. However, the current situation is intolerable and I hope the Minister of State will do something to rectify this. A by-election will take place shortly in my constituency and I can ill-afford to be here on this errand. However, I have tried every other approach. I have heard the comments of social welfare officers to the effect that it is of no avail to bring such issues to one's local public representative because the officer is the only person who counts in these matters. The day is fast approaching when those who adopt this attitude will get their answer.

The cases I have listed are genuine and those concerned are entitled to have their applications dealt with in a sympathetic manner. I could say much more, which might be inflammatory. I will refrain, however, on the basis that I expect an immediate resolution to the issues I have raised.

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