Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)

Following on from Deputy Boyd Barrett's question, will the Minister of State consider some kind of community employment scheme whereby redundant apprentices and crafts people could be employed by local authorities to refurbish houses that have been sitting vacant for long periods? Such a scheme would produce a win-win result because it would tackle the housing list while creating employment and saving the Exchequer on rent allowance in the private sector. We need to think outside the box because it is a problem that is experienced nationwide.

See this speech in context