Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

This is an important amendment. I have been trying for some time to encourage the Minister to deal with the various allocation schemes and schemes of lettings. For example, Dublin City Council has submitted a draft to the Minister and it has gone back and forth for some time. There must be scope for discussion in order to ensure these schemes are fit for purpose. That is what the amendment seeks to do. It makes sense that those bodies working at the coalface and which have an understanding of the process should have an opportunity to offer advice. All that is required is that the draft be circulated. I agree with Deputy McCormack that Oireachtas Members should also be included in the process. However, what is most important is that those bodies in the voluntary sector, including NABCo, Clúid and so on, understand the types of schemes the local authority is operating and can ascertain whether there are any implications for their own operations. This is a reasonable and not particularly onerous proposal. A timeframe can be imposed in order to ensure there is no undue delay between draft and completion of an allocation scheme.

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