Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I also compliment all the local authorities on the great work they have done. During the lockdown, local authorities have parked commercial rates, they have suspended or removed parking charges, and there has been a reduction in some cases in rent and mortgage repayments for its customers. The Minister of State must look at extending that, now more than ever.

As we move through the phases, what will happen with local authorities? Will services have to be cut? We have discussed the great services that local authorities provide and we have praised them, particularly during the Covid pandemic. We cannot cut services, for example, to the elderly whom we deal with daily. I refer to the mobility grants and housing adaptation grants for windows and doors. I can speak for Carlow County Council, as the Minister of State will be well aware, in my constituency. We get one of the lowest capital funding allocations from central government. He needs to make sure that we deliver our services to the local authority and that no services are cut going forward. That is so important. I ask him to come back to me in writing with a commitment that no local authority, particularly Carlow and Kilkenny, will have services cut.

Regarding the amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, the measures in place were to ensure no terminations of tenancies and no rent increases for a three-month period. Are they to be extended on 27 June? Local authorities and homelessness charities are predicting a massive surge in homelessness applications once the measures are removed.

It is now over eight years since there has been a review of the income threshold to qualify to go on the local authority housing list. Carlow had one of the lowest levels. This matter is so important. People are not qualifying to go on the local authority housing list because there has not been a review in over eight years. This is unacceptable. I ask the Minister of State to guarantee a review as soon as possible because what is occurring is making people homeless. We have a homelessness crisis in addition to Covid. I am looking for a commitment from the Minister of State.

The Construction Industry Federation representatives were here last week and said there might be an increase of between 10% and 15% in the cost of home-build projects. I have major concerns about this. Several people have rung my constituency office about it. Can we have information on this? It is a worry and concern. I thank the Minister of State.

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