Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for acknowledging the work of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, in seeking to provide rent certainty. That will help to stem the number of people in rental accommodation. At least, they will have rent certainty for the next two years. Fortunately, the measure will prevent people from becoming homeless.

We all rightly have grave concern about children living in hotel accommodation. However, as far as we can see, before they became homeless, the vast majority were not actually living in rent supplement accommodation. There are a number of measures being introduced by the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly. Deputy Willie O'Dea might, therefore, be better off asking him a parliamentary question.

It is certainly to the forefront of his agenda. In addition to providing rent certainty, there is flexibility in respect of the allowance and the HAP system operating in Limerick, which has been quite successful, and several hundred new tenants being dealt with through the HAP. This is a priority and we are working diligently to make sure that we have results as soon as possible.

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