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

First, I welcome the good work that has been done by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Although we have a lot more to do, a lot of houses have been built. A lot has been done by the local authorities under the Derelict Sites Act and so on. However, we are now getting to a different phase. I am aware of applicants for social housing who have been removed from the housing list without being made aware of it. Letters are sent to applicants, but they are posted to old addresses and the applicants do not receive them. I am aware of people who have been on the housing list for four years and who, because the review is only being done every year or two, could be taken off it. They are losing their time on the list. This is becoming an issue for me. Common sense must prevail here. I could have the proof that they are on the list, yet I cannot provide it. As other speakers have stated, I am aware of people who are borderline in terms of qualifying to go on the local authority housing list but there is no leniency or bit of help for them. They really need to be put on the list.

I wish to raise another issue that I believe is serious. The HMD 1 form must be filled out in the case of an applicant or their child having a medical condition but it is now getting to the stage where doctors do not have the time to fill in the forms. They say it is not part of what they do any more. If a doctor does fill in such a form, a person could be waiting for weeks. These are issues that are coming to local authorities every day and they are not being addressed. Common sense must apply in local authorities.

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