Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the flexibility from the Department regarding this matter. I also welcome the flexibility regarding victims of domestic violence. I have no difficulty with any of that.

I look forward to looking at the detail of the Minister's answer but rent supplement was to be abolished, is that not right? It was to be phased out and was only supposed to be there in temporary emergency situations. Applicants were to move on to the housing assistance payment, HAP. I have added up a rough estimate of the HAP, the rental accommodation scheme, RAS, payments and the rent supplement payments and we are at €600 million.

We are at more than €600 million and rising in relation to direct benefit to the private market while the housing crisis intensifies. I realise that is not the Minister's direct responsibility, but she is part of a Government that is actively promoting higher rents in the private market while we fail to provide public housing. What assessment has the Department done on this matter?

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