Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The increase in the bands in the five counties, including Clare, is to be welcomed. The Minister of State has fairly acknowledged that more work needs to be done and that it needs to be study based. He said he hopes this study is done by Christmas. If I could urge the Minister of State to do one thing, it would be to ensure this study is completed by Christmas so that we can see the criteria. Inevitably, there is always slippage but this is very important and particularly as we are living in inflationary times. Wages are going to rise and people's eligibility is going to drop further, putting social housing beyond the reach of a lot of people who also do not qualify for affordable housing, even if affordable housing was being built, which it is not being in every county at the moment. The Minister of State is smiling. The day he comes to open social housing in Clare, I will be there to congratulate him. I am not trying to score points. I really want to see this happen because there are so many people looking for a decent home.

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