Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support what the Minister of State said about vacant housing. I would like to follow up on the point he made about NAMA. Every local authority should have a transfer unit for NAMA property and, hopefully, we will have more opportunities to avail of the NAMA properties. The number of NAMA properties that have been used has fallen far short of what should be made available. A proposal by the leader of the Green Party, Eamon Ryan, on the use of timber-framed housing would be a very speedy way of providing very comfortable accommodation in a sustainable way.

A comment by Tony Geoghegan of Merchants Quay that homelessness seems to be becoming acceptable is very frightening and worrying. While Dublin has always been mentioned as the area where there is the greatest need for housing, figures from COPE Galway show that 112 families including 246 children are either homeless or at risk of homelessness. We must ensure people, particularly in Galway City, have a good chance of getting a house. However, applicants could be on a waiting list for a house for ten or 12 years. I hope the Minister of State will bear in mind the issues I raise and that something might happen shortly, rather than having long-term plans that are of no use to those who are suffering now.

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