Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We heard this morning that the rents in this city were at the boom-time level even though the rent supplement was out of touch with the rents being demanded, that is, some €300 less than the average rent for an apartment and €400 less than the average rent for a house. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly, promised action on radio this morning, yet the legislative programme that was published yesterday and which I have perused contains nothing in that regard. Will the Minister pursue legislation on rent controls or rent freezes, which was what he mentioned? For four and a half years, the Government has discussed making changes, yet the rent supplement budget has been cut by €200 million in that time and the mortgage interest supplement budget has been cut from €77 million to €12 million. What legislative action will be taken to address a crisis that is going through the roof? Many people do not even have a roof for it to go through.

I welcome two Bills on the legislative programme, as I have been asking for them for months. However, they still have the same status. It is not possible to indicate when No. 100, the national children's hospital establishment Bill, will be published. It first appeared on the legislative programme in 2013. The other Bill is probably in line with what the Minister discussed a moment ago, namely, the digital hub Bill, which the Government announced with a great deal of fanfare would address a large number of quangos. It has been on the programme since 2011, but it is in the section about which it is not possible to indicate when Bills will be published. Despite that, it is still operating. Another Minister, Deputy White, opened a new development in that regard last week. That is welcome, but certainty is required. Will the Minister ensure that this Bill is moved from section C to section B so that it can be passed before the dissolution of the Dáil?

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