John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)

That is fine. It facilitates those on the housing list, but if the system is slightly tweaked to allow for long-term leasing options or arrangements, it could start money flowing through the local economies throughout the country. It could start building and construction again. People could go into a hardware store to buy goods which, in turn, could help to keep the local economy moving. The opportunity is there to use the €20 million allocation to pump prime local economies. If the Department diversifies the good concept explained in its circular somewhat it could achieve a good deal more for local authorities. That is the material point.

An allocation of €20 million is fine and it is clear from the circular that leasing proposals must ensure that accommodation is in a location and of a type which can appropriately meet the needs of persons on local authority lists. That is not the case for all local authorities at present. The interest shown from advertisements in the national newspapers was only very slight in some cases. The circular states that the Department is working with local authorities on early proposals with a view to developing this guidance further. We must take that very seriously. I believe many local authorities have called the Department and have been told the money is not available. However, if the system were changed a little and if local authorities were given the latitude to enter into long-term leasing arrangements, their needs could be met and it would allow money to start flowing into local economies throughout the country. That is as much as I wish to say on the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. I understand the Bill gives the powers to the Department to realise such suggestions. It does not require much thinking to diversify with regard to the relationship between the Department and local authorities and it could help the local economies.

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