Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister for that reply. I am inclined to agree with her about the time on the list issue because we have seen the mess that happened in Dublin City Council, particularly with single males or single females being left on the housing list almost indefinitely, and people with smaller families being subjected to the points system. I know cases can be prioritised, be it on medical or welfare grounds, but that should remain if we examine the idea of time on record. I believe Dublin City Council is changing the time on record; Fingal County Council uses that system. I understand that may change at the end of this year but it is long overdue because some people have been on the housing list for 15 years. That does not make sense, and they are going nowhere. It is appalling. The problem of homelessness is being addressed separately but at one time there were huge queues on the homeless list in a similar way. I do not know whether this is a recommendation from the Minister of State to the local authorities. Is it the Minister of State's suggestion that time on record should be used by the local authorities? Is that what she is pressing them to do?

See this speech in context