Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

My question has three strands — the number of people on social housing waiting lists, the timeframe for the elimination of such lists and if the Government will accept the implementation of the NESC proposal. The Minister of State said it will be later in the year before we know how many people are on the waiting lists and he is not in a position to provide that information.

I refer to a timeframe for the elimination of housing waiting lists. For example, the Government set a target for the elimination of hospital waiting lists. It is crazy and it is all over the place but, at least, the Government demonstrated awareness of the crisis by setting a target. Is such a target in place in the Minister of State's Department to eliminate social housing waiting lists?

The NESC proposal relates to the provision of 73,000 social housing units by 2012. Does the Minister of State accept it? He should give a "yes" or "no" answer. He has given a blurb about a statement on social housing being provided at the end of the year, despite the Government parties being in power for eight and a half years.

Does the Minister of State accept the NESC proposal? When will he set a target for the elimination of housing waiting lists?

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