Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

The RAS scheme is not working in many areas. Last year's budget of €6 million was significantly underspent. Many local authorities such as Drogheda Borough Council for example have asked that the amount of rent they are allowed to pay be increased. On the periphery of Dublin, landlords are demanding rents far higher than rural or non-urban rents. That is a serious issue which must be addressed. It is one of the issues in these two questions asked by Fine Gael Members.

With regard to the waiting period of 18 months, I have had representations from people in their 50s who have recently been separated, or people who might have serious mental or other health problems. Will the Minister of State consider excusing people in certain extreme conditions from the 18-month waiting period and allow them in much earlier, so that they would not have to wait in awful, appalling accommodation, and be fast-tracked into RAS accommodation if it were available to them?

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