Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

First, I have every sympathy and empathy for that lady and for the difficulties that people find themselves in. There are two issues here. We need to get the supply of social housing up. Our new-build programme is happening and we will build more this year than we did last year.

Specifically in relation to the case the Deputy has referenced, we have given flexibility to the local authorities. I do not know the details of that case, but I am more than happy to look into it. I have seen local authorities across the country show a great deal of flexibility, particularly in the area where a house may be a three-bedroom house but there may only be two people in it. They may look at the size of a household versus the size of a property. I have been asking the local authorities to buy them anyway. It may require a reallocation into the future to secure that property and those tenancies. I do not know the details of that case, but I can tell the Deputy I am more than happy to look into it and to engage with Dublin City Council on it.

I want to commend Dublin City Council for the work they have been doing. They have been extremely proactive with regard to their purchases for the tenant in situ scheme. They have been performing very well. I will look at the details if Deputy O'Callaghan will share them with me and I will make contact with the Dublin City Council on that case.

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