Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

Unfortunately, it seems the Minister has done nothing to meet us halfway. To say what happens in areas of regeneration is beside the point, as that provision enables local authorities to refuse rent allowance on the grounds of the need to ensure a better social mix in such areas. There is no reference to the principle of a quota system. We are not just speaking about areas of regeneration but also about many areas around the country where we know difficulties are caused by an over-reliance on rent supplement by local authorities or particular community welfare officers. Very often, it is not in the interests of people living in those housing schemes to have a substantial number in receipt of rent supplement. The Minister knows this to be the case because he explained on Committee Stage that there were serious problems and that he had first-hand experience. He has done nothing to deal with this issue and has not given me one reason he cannot go with a quota system, other than what seems to be a determination not to accept any proposal from this side of the House. Unfortunately, he was like this in his previous role.

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