John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join Deputy Micheál Martin, the Taoiseach and others in expressing sympathy for the lady and her two children who died in a tragic house fire in Clondalkin last night. It should also be remembered that another lady and her son are in a critical condition in hospital. I also wish to put on the record that as somebody who has lived in Clondalkin all my life, I witnessed a palpable sense of shock this morning at the tragic loss of such young life. It is not something we have experienced very often. My deepest sympathies are with the families of those who died and those who are injured.

The Government commits on page 30 of the programme for Government in so far as practicable to keep people in their homes. In particular, I note that the mortgage interest supplement scheme expired in 2014 for new entrants and is due to be completed by the end of this year. There are still 2,000 people in receipt of this mortgage interest supplement and it is due to expire at the end of December or on 1 January. Will the Taoiseach review this date with a view to keeping these people in their homes? There are 2,000 people in receipt of the payment. Will he phase it out on a gradual basis in order that people are transitioned into secure homes or houses or retain the houses they have? I ask him not to close the scheme down on an arbitrary date.

See this speech in context