Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

We are trying to introduce objective and standardised criteria. It should not be necessary to produce a consultant's report, given that it may take a long period to obtain such a report, thus prolonging the process and creating further trauma for applicants. There may also be a financial outlay required of the applicant who may not have the wherewithal to meet the cost. An ordinary general practitioner's report or, in specific circumstances, an occupational therapist's report or a combination thereof should be sufficient in the vast bulk of cases related to social housing.

I will examine the provision of having a local connection for five years, which is an extremely long period, given that, in many cases, applicants have returned to an area they left, through no fault of their own, to secure employment.

I am less sympathetic on the issue of the Private Residential Tenancies Board number. We all share the same objective in this regard and the sooner we amend the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 the better. If we transfer responsibility for rent supplement to local authorities, it will be critical that we ensure landlords do not receive rent supplement unless they are registered. Last year the PRTB found that a substantial number of landlords were not registered. We must address this issue. If landlords are tax compliant, we will have an opportunity to obtain perhaps 20% or 25% of the outlay of the rent supplement scheme, which costs approximately €500 million per annum. We must start to get some of this money back and get better value for it.

It is my intention to issue circulars to ensure standardised criteria apply. These should not be excessively onerous on those who seek to secure a place on the housing list. As the Deputy will be aware, the number on the housing list was found to be more than 100,000 on 1 March. However, the figure is a moveable feast and I have no doubt it has increased significantly in the meantime. We are obliged to ascertain the number on the housing list every three years. I intend to do so more frequently to ensure the figures are up to date. If we were to calculate the number on the housing list tomorrow, I have no doubt the figure would have increased to 115,000. I also live in the real world. I will address in a constructive manner the issues raised by the Deputy.

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