Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

On promised legislation, the programme for Government states the election for a mayor for Dublin will be held in 2010. Such elections would have a statutory requirement which is being prepared and is due to be published this session, we hope.

On the other matter, I have outlined to the Deputy twice already, both yesterday and today, how the existing schemes will be used. The exceptional needs payment is also in place for anyone who experiences hardship in the meantime.

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