Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Again, this is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for housing. I am sure there are very good elements in the Deputy's Bill and I am not saying there are not. I understand what the Deputy is saying. However, I would caution against the kind of narrative - I am not suggesting for one minute that Deputy Farrell is saying it - that digs are somehow a last resort. They should not be spoken of with that terminology or phraseology, that when everything else has run out, there are digs. For a lot of people, the transition from an isolated rural location to a city centre can be quite difficult and it might very well be a first resort. The financial supports being made available by the Government through the tax breaks and by allowing people in local authority housing to avail of that scheme are very welcome. It is the kind of initiative I want to see furthered out.

As well as that, having stayed in such accommodation myself and having had a very positive experience there for the first year I was in university, which made the transition easier, I do not have any difficulty with people being able to go to a vehicle, whether that is the university or whatever, to ensure situations can be identified. In the first instance, however, it is a matter for the Minister for housing and I will be raising it with him in the context of what the Deputy has said.

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