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

I am seeking clarity from the Minister of State on the systems she intends to put in place.

Unfortunately, the systems to which she referred are not reflected in the legislation before us. That is the kernel of the problem. During our Committee Stage debate, Deputy Joan Collins stated:

I will ask again the question posed by Deputy Ó Fearghaíl. Is the Minister of State contradicting the officials from the Department of Social Protection who were before the committee today? They indicated that anybody in receipt of the HAP would be taken off the housing list.

The Minister of State replied:

No. They will be taken off the housing list but they can go on a transfer list.

Nothing in this legislation indicates that will be the case. That is all we are seeking. Is the Minister of State aware of any tenant, going back as far as she likes, who was in a rental accommodation scheme and subsequently obtained a house from a local authority? There is none in my county. When people went on RAS, they were taken off the housing list. When they go on a HAP scheme, they will similarly be taken off the housing list. The only provisions for transfer are accompanied by rules and regulations, as determined by individual local authorities. As the Minister of State will be aware, these determinations differ from county to county.

She has an opportunity with this Bill to address our concerns so that all local authorities play on a level pitch and, most important, those who have housing needs will be treated fairly. There should be no differentiation between one list and another. It is right that, in the event of a person moving from RAS or the HAP scheme to a council house, somebody from the list could then move onto the housing thereby made available on the scheme. A weight should be given to an applicant who has proven his or her willingness to adhere to the terms and conditions of an agreement. That could be regarded as an element in his or her suitability for obtaining social housing from a local authority or other housing authority.

It is time that we cut to the chase. We need clarity on the differing interpretations of this legislation reported in the media in recent days. A lot of people in here are determined to work for the betterment of those we are privileged to represent. We see this Bill as an opportunity to address an anomaly that existed under RAS. As we debate the final amendments, even though the Minister of State has not accepted any amendment, we ask her to listen to what is being said. If she believes her own assertions, she should give them the foundation they deserve by inserting adequate provision in this Bill so that all local authorities understand what is expected of them. We should not be comparing the different systems in Dublin, Meath and Offaly. She has the opportunity to introduce uniformity, fairness and equity by accepting these amendments or at least giving a commitment that when she brings the Bill before the Seanad she will amend it to ensure that nobody who accepts a short-term solution will be prevented from being offered the longer term solutions offered to others.

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