Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the expression of goodwill extended to me and my colleagues and, in particular, his recognition of colleagues who are not well. He mentioned a Deputy and a Senator and perhaps there are others. It is a sentiment I completely support and I thank him for raising it.

I share the Deputy's concern, as does the Labour Party, about what has happened to the public housing sector, its destruction under section 5 and the reliance on rent supplement that has driven so many people into a difficult situation. We had discussions in the Parliamentary Labour Party about the matter, as other parties have had. Turning around the system is taking time. The Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government are working closely together. It is expected 5,000 units will be made available this year, which is a small sum relative to the figure quoted. The representatives from all Dublin constituencies will be appalled at the practice in the Dublin area of local authority apartments being boarded up and awaiting maintenance while there are people who would happily occupy them and would do them up themselves. The Minister of State is in talks with the Dublin City Council officials. This is largely a Dublin City Council matter although other local authorities have some rented apartments. We must get a more efficient way of utilising property that is not being properly utilised. I will bring the comments of the Deputy to the attention of the Minister of State because we share a similar approach to the matter.

See this speech in context