Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State makes the same points I made in my initial contribution. I very much welcome the changes to the scheme announced a few weeks ago, particularly with regard to the valuation. They have been helpful.

The Minister of State referred to the financial eligibility criteria. In the case I outlined the individual in question would be better off staying at home on the dole, as he would qualify for the scheme. He is barely over the threshold, which is €27,500 in the area in which he lives. He has a wife and two children and they live in a three bedroom house. The sum of €27,500 is a hard and fast figure and there is no flexibility in that regard in the area in which he lives. He has no choice and I am sure he is not alone in this situation. There must be flexibility on the figure of €27,500, or whatever the figure might be for any other individual, depending on the area involved. The most simple solution is for this man to be able to stay in his home, look after his children and pay what he can to a voluntary housing body or the local authority, as the case may be. It would be far cheaper for the State if he could do this rather than have him give up work, stay at home and qualify in that way. I ask that section 20 of the housing Act be reviewed to take account of the issues I have outlined where the mortgage is unsustainable, as it is in this and other cases, in order to qualify for social housing.

See this speech in context