Section 5 deals with the landlord tax reference number. During Question Time yesterday, Deputy Ring alluded to the question of rent supplement. Housing should be provided by the local authority, not the HSE or Department of Social Protection. There are many empty houses in the housing stock of local authorities. When local authorities assess people for housing needs, they tick off everybody and give them all rent supplement. There are many vulnerable people who need rent supplement and assistance but there are many who get it who do not necessarily need it. On our housing list, we must differentiate between housing need and housing desire. This has not been achieved. Only those with a housing need should receive a rent supplement.

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