Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her response. She says the proposed amendment and the subsequent explanation given by me and others misrepresent the facts as she understands them. She has seen fit to quote section 35 in respect of the proposal to insert the word "not" in place of the word "shall". Section 35 states:

Subject to regulations made for the purposes of subsection (4)(f) of section 20 of the Act of 2009, the provision of housing assistance under this Part shall be deemed to be an appropriate form of social housing support for a household that is determined by a housing authority under the said section 20 to be qualified for such support.

A housing support is the same as a housing need or a housing requirement. Those on a local authority housing list have a housing need. Along with the Minister of State, we have a responsibility in so far as we can to offer appropriate funding and supports to local authorities to meet the requirements of those on the lists. As we all know from regular interaction with our constituents, this is one of the greatest needs and demands of society, in addition to the problems people face on foot of Government decisions regarding a property tax and water charges and the costs associated with same, which are far in excess of what the supposed average was to be-----

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