Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If I am wrong, then so be it. I am happy to check out the story.

To allow for social housing mix, there are a range of schemes which blend social, affordable and private housing on State-owned lands. There are plans afoot to provide enough land to build 50,000 houses, taking the mix of social, private and affordable houses into account. People will benefit from that. In addition, to allow for that mix, a blanket increase of €5,000 above the limits has been recommended. I am aware that is quite low in today's terms, and that is why the Government has agreed to look at that criteria. It will be based on evidence brought forward. We want that mix, and we want to encourage people to bring forward housing schemes. We do not want housing schemes that would mean that people would turn down jobs or the chance of increasing their income. That is why the housing assistance payment, HAP, scheme was introduced in the first place. It recognised the ability of people to get a job and to earn income. The Deputy does not like that scheme either, but it works very well and reflects the ability of people to work and earn income. That is what it is there for, and we see it every day of the week.

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