Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

The evidence does not bear that out. I accept that there is a serious issue. I am anxious that these issues be brought to a finality. The committee will issue a report and it will be brought to Government.

The very valid issue of rent subsidy was also raised. We are paying €500 million on rent subsidy. Local authorities must be more proactive with the rental accommodation scheme, RAS, and put people into longer term tenancies than is possible under the rent supplement scheme, which was never meant to be a long-term solution to people's housing needs. I recently met Focus Ireland, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Threshold and the Simon Communities and I have offered to meet those groups again before the end of July. I intend meeting them on a regular basis to examine the whole issue of rent supplement.

We have no direct relationship with tenants, but the properties being rented must be of an adequate standard. This is something I would like to do some work on. It is warranted because the State has a major investment in the rent supplement scheme. I am very anxious to ensure that every landlord would provide a PPS number. Much work is being done on data matching. I understand the vast majority of landlords who have had their tax affairs checked were found to be compliant.

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