Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

The timeframe is such that arrangements are being put in place to ensure that all local authority areas initiate the scheme by the end of the year. Clearly it will be into next year before the process is concluded. Some months ago there was evidence that rents were decreasing or levelling off. As Deputy Stanton has stated, it is important that limits are not set that would push up rents, as many people in the State pay rent. This could easily happen. There is recent evidence that rents are beginning to harden once more and we should monitor the issue closely to ensure that an adequate level of rent support is provided without facilitating rises in rent.

With regard to the Deputy's point of social housing being the answer, it is only part of the solution. Many people on rent supplement for more than 18 months aspire to going out into the private housing market themselves at some stage. Our job is to help them get there if that is their wish.

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