Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Deasy for sharing time. We have a wealth of knowledge in this area to help us to deal with the housing situation and the difficulties presented by any Bill which comes before the House. We come to the House with a great level of knowledge, having spent a good deal of time in local authorities in our constituencies. Dealing with housing issues is not a weekly but a daily issue. There are always people with issues in respect of housing or re-housing and related issues.

In recent years, antisocial behaviour has appeared in some of our housing estates. This must be dealt with using a very firm hand. I am unsure where the blame lies, but the increase in antisocial behaviour, especially in some of the newer housing estates, is unacceptable and must be dealt with in a very firm way. It is possible to be critical of what is occurring at local authority or Government level in this regard.

When one visits some housing estates in some constituencies, I could name some such as my own, for example, such behaviour is a fact of life. This is a terrible waste of taxpayers' money. The message this sends to people is worse again. It sends a wrong signal to people to see boarded up houses in any housing estate. Some young or unemployed people may get devilment into their heads. I realise the Minister of State has a great interest in the matter given his background in a local authority and I am pleased that such a person is dealing with housing and re-housing in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It is a singular issue which must be dealt with. No local authority can claim to have only a few boarded up houses. At a time of high unemployment and increasing antisocial behaviour, having boarded up houses despite people waiting on the housing list is wrong. This issue, which must be addressed as a matter of urgency, can be dealt with even in this difficult economic climate.

Getting on housing lists can be difficult for young, single men who have no resources to repay loans and of whom there is an increasing number, given changes in society ranging from marriage breakdown to solitary living. Single men not being put on housing lists is grossly unfair. We must address this matter, particularly given the way in which society has changed for those men. Giving some of them houses would help to maintain the estates in question. If they were unemployed, they would give good leadership in many respects, including through night security and in community organisations. We have neglected this matter for many years.

In light of the rush to build in recent years, I question the quality of housing in many new estates. While great improvements have been made and there are good models of new local authority housing estates, an odd one might be questionable and we should keep an eye on the workmanship involved. In a debate on this Bill, it cannot be left unsaid that the Department has done considerable work to increase standards in recent years.

Since it is essential that there be play facilities, greater links with GAA, rugby or soccer clubs or other organisations in parishes and towns should be pursued so that new housing estates can be built close to them. In recent years, South Tipperary County Council has been involved in building good playgrounds to help communities. I encourage the building of more playgrounds because they allow activity, which is necessary in respect of young people, particularly during their holidays. On long summer evenings, there is nothing like fresh air and activity to focus young people's minds. They will go from the playground to the football, rugby or hurling field or whatever the case may be.

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