Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The report compiled by Focus Point, an organisation of which I have long been a supporter, is important. What I said was that the sample number of cases, ten, out of a total of 89,000 was part of the organisation's caseload for the current period and very small. They were particular cases in which Focus Point had dealt with individuals with problems. None of the individuals included in the study was unable to access accommodation ultimately. However, having looked at the cases included in the sample, I was surprised that two of the individuals were aged only 20 or under 20 years. As the report did not go into their family histories, I am unaware of the particular problems. However, I am concerned that young people of that age have left home. I would like to see the emphasis in public policy on young people of that age being encouraged to remain at home with their families. In addition, two of the cases concerned families, the members of which had described themselves as Travellers whom they felt suffered discrimination. This, therefore, was not an issue of homelessness but another issue.

All I am saying is that the sample chosen only amounted to ten cases. The Department has settled 42,000 housing rent cases under the new arrangements this year. The new rent levels are designed to ensure rents reflect what is considered to be an appropriate level to meet the circumstances of the family or individual involved. It is important I ensure the Department which holds a share of approximately 30% of the private rental market does not drive up rents. Some people in work, students and older people are renting and paying their own rent. If the Department, as a large participant in the rental market, drives up rents, it will have consequences for people who are working, families paying for students going to college and older people paying their own rent. Given the fallen values in the property market, the reductions sought in rent supplement which are extremely modest constitute an appropriate action. The collapse in values in the property market ought to be reflected in lower rents.

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