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

I know it is clear we need to build housing but we need to make it affordable. I still meet people who do not qualify for the local authority home loan and they do not qualify for social housing.

We talk about supply being the issue, but there have been other issues, including a backlog in housing applications. I thank the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for addressing that by means of fast-tracking the appointment of new staff. The housing department in Carlow has five new staff and Kilkenny has six new staff. However, I had a family with me yesterday who are in receipt of income supplement. They are above the threshold to qualify for social housing. I ask that this be looked at. We cannot have a family on family income supplement who are not qualified to go on the local authority housing list.

There is one other matter, which I know the Taoiseach will address. There are significant issues with the local authority adaptation grants and the policy relating to children. There does not seem to be a policy in place. It all seems to be for elderly people. I welcome that support, but lately I have met many children who need grants. This is a major issue. I thank the Taoiseach.

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