Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I note that no copy of his speech was given out. Perhaps one could be sent over to me. The suggested rent of €1,300 for a one-bedroom apartment and €1,500 for a two-bedroom apartment, which is the concept in some areas in Dublin, is affordable only to the top 30% of households. That is not what we are looking for or what we need in respect of cost rental. For 40% of households, their income means that rent must be €800 a month or less to be affordable. The Minister of State has said that rents have to be based on the cost but is the Government looking at introducing differential rent with, for example, tenants paying 15% and the difference being paid through a housing assistance payment, HAP, type scheme? We pay HAP to landlords. Are we looking at that type of thing in respect of people on incomes which are low but above the eligibility threshold? We have to think outside the box if we are to ensure that people on such incomes can get this housing. I would like to hear the Minister of State's position on that. Is he saying that rents will be in and around €1,300 for a one-bedroom unit and €1,500 for a two-bedroom unit? If that is the case, this housing is not affordable nor is it based on people's incomes.

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