Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Deputy's point that Dublin City Council has nominated many tenants. The waiting list needs to be facilitated and these modern purpose-built units are ready for letting. The current impasse cannot continue and the Minister, Deputy Kelly, and I will be keeping a sharp focus on the ongoing meetings, one of which takes place tomorrow. At the meeting, I will urge that progress be made. If both parties fail to reach agreement at that stage, the Department and the Minister will have to look at the legal options available to us to bring the dispute to a conclusion. That would be a reluctant step. Vacant units need to be brought into beneficial use for the benefit of tenants who need them. It is not a decision we take lightly but we may be left with little choice other than to take action if progress is not made very soon. It is our priority that the State investment in this facility is protected and it is also our priority to show that the units become homes for the people who most need them. I urge the Catholic Housing Aid Society and Dublin City Council to focus on this, get their heads together and find a resolution in the interests of the vulnerable people who need them as soon as possible. The Minister and I, and our officials, will be keeping a close watching brief on these meetings and we need to see progress. I cannot send a stronger signal than that. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter.

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