Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

In view of the fact that the number of social housing applicants has increased in many counties by over 35%, there is a huge increase in the cost of rent subsidy. It now costs in excess of €500 million per year. Is there any discussion of the proposal that the Government should, in the words of Mr. Ray MacSharry, buy some of the houses at a knock-down rate?

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