Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I always put it on the record that it can be perceived that I have a conflict with some of these matters. Since this Government entered its second term, it has had different chances to solve the housing crisis and the problems we have in that area but all it seems to do is bring out reports. I will relate what I have heard in County Kerry and around the rest of the country. The people have heard about reports, consultative groups and changes in regulatory bodies or new legislation. Meanwhile, people talk about criminalising people who rent properties. It seems to be a regular occurrence for people here to criminalise the people who help in providing accommodation, which is not a good way of encouraging people to be involved in that side of things. The day all people are knocked out of providing accommodation is the day the Government will perish on a rock; these people are taking up the slack when the Government is absent.

As my brother correctly said, we should remember that if a person collects €800 per month in rent, he or she will give the Government 52% of that before that person can do even one other thing. That portion goes to the State. These people must pay a mortgage and register with the RTB before they can do the painting, etc. They do this with 48% of the turnover, so the Government should not forget it. I am not referring to the Members present but some colleagues are talking about criminalising landlords. Those people should remember that landlords act as tax collectors with 52% of the rent. It is not that such people are looking for a medal but they do not want to be blackguarded either. Our job is to have balance and to be fair.

In my role as an elected representative, I deal with housing issues every day of the week. I know people desperately want what is a basic and common right. It is about having the security of a home instead of wondering if their time will be up next week, in three weeks or in six months. If people have children and are in a house while in receipt of HAP, they should be able to know they can stay as long as they need or they wish, or until they get a local authority house. I would dearly like to see people getting houses that they could eventually purchase. I stood up week after week speaking about this to a previous Taoiseach. I did everything bar get down on my hands and knees to beg him to introduce a tenant purchase scheme. After years when it was not provided, the Government eventually initiated a scheme that few people can avail of. They cannot qualify. If it is a retired person or somebody who has saved money through hard work, even if these people have enough money, they are not allowed to purchase the property if they are not in full-time employment. It is absolutely ridiculous and an insult to people. Perhaps these people can get assistance from family members and wish to buy their family home, in which they have lived for 20, 30 or 40 years. They are not allowed to buy it because they are not in full-time employment. It is crazy. The people who drafted the tenant purchase scheme should hang their heads in shame.

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