Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with Deputies Gould, Patricia Ryan and Mythen. I welcome most of the Minister's comments. As he said, it does not matter on what side of the House we are. If we can work together for the right reasons, we can improve the Bill. I see no reason that cannot be done.

The Minister also mentioned people with complex needs. I want to give an example of where, possibly, there is a failing in that regard. For people with disabilities the invalidity benefit payment is very low. As single people, even with the top-up on the housing assistance payment, it is practically impossible for them to get anywhere to live. They are left at a dead end. Before I came into the House, I did a Google search of two bedroom properties to rent in east Cork on daft.ie. There are 15 such properties in total for an average rent of €1,200 per month, which is impossible for a person on the HAP.

I had a very interesting meeting with Cork County Council last Friday. I have spoken previously to the Minister about the moneys available to him. The impression I got from Cork County Council was that it wants to build houses but it is finding it very difficult to progress many of the small developments of 50 houses because of other entities within the system. Rather than discuss the matter any further here, I will communicate with the Minister on it.

I again congratulate Deputy Ó Broin on bringing forward this Bill and I welcome the Minister's commentary that we can all work together on and improve it. That is what we are here to do. We will all work together.

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