Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

This Bill will restore the status quo as set out in the original 2000 Act. The key issue for the public is that we are in the midst of a significant housing crisis. This is particularly difficult for some categories of people, such as first-time buyers and separated people in dire need of decent accommodation. I listened to the Minister of State's speech with interest but heard no mention of the rental allowance scheme, RAS, which was trumpeted with so much fanfare by him and his Department.

The reality is that it is the Government's policy to provide long-term rented accommodation rather than social housing, contrary to the policies of all Governments since the foundation of the State. The Minister of State's view is that the RAS will meet the long-term needs of those in need of social and affordable housing. This is unacceptable to those people and to the public in general. He has millions of euro which he has failed to spend. The Minister of State is quite right — he has not been able to spend this money because he is not giving local authorities that wish to use the rental accommodation scheme to put people into long-term accommodation which it may have found or sourced for them in places like Drogheda and other areas. He will not allow them to pay the rents asked. Last year of the €16 million available, he spent approximately €6 million. I do not have the picture for this year but I am sure it is every bit as bad. The Minister of State is failing to look after single people and those who might be starting off their family lives before they buy their own homes. His policy is an absolute failure.

The Government also baulked at affordable housing. The Fianna Fáil tent at the Galway races is so full of developers, it is afraid to stand up to them. It changed the legislation because the builders said it was not popular with them. Fianna Fáil took on board their views, watered down the Act and made it easier for them to get out of their responsibility, that is, the social responsibility of mixed housing, where social, affordable and other housing are mixed.

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