Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We are not. The glass bottle site is a good example, and I have heard people from the local community speak about it. In that case Labour Party councillors worked with the local community and 25% of that site is allocated for social and affordable housing. We must use that opportunity.

I also ask the Minister to examine the scheme introduced by Deputy Alan Kelly. Under that scheme, if a council was building 15 or fewer social houses and it was costing no more than €2 million, the council only had to get one permission from the Department. It did not have to go back and forth repeatedly. As far as I know, there have been only two developments under that scheme. The scheme has real potential because local authorities own many small sites. The Minister should also re-examine the length of time it takes to get permissions for social housing in terms of the interaction between the Department and local authorities. Again, there are opportunities in that regard.

I welcome the fact the Minister is re-examining the way units are counted. There is something significantly wrong when we do not know how many houses are being built. Using ESB connections clearly does not work. I have seen data from Dr. Lorcan Sirr, who has analysed the data and appears to have an accurate picture of the number of houses. The Minister said he is listening to people on all sides. Dr. Sirr and other experts have relevant information.

When will the Minister review the rent pressure zones? Limerick is still not included despite large increases in the cost of rent. That is also the case in Waterford and other areas. Will the Minister also extend homeless HAP outside the Dublin area? There are many homeless people in other cities throughout the country. They cannot get homeless HAP, although there might be some exceptions. That would be an opportunity to ensure that homeless people can access accommodation. We need that to work and to enable people to access it.

Housing First is a fantastic scheme but it is limited in its application at present. We need more of it because it works well for the long-term homeless with complex problems.

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