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

If the Deputy asks a question, he should at least give me an opportunity to answer it. I did not interrupt him. As somebody who stayed in digs in Cork myself, in Hartlands Avenue, a number of years ago, I know that these are private family homes into which people bring students. We have to be very conscious that they are private homes. The vast majority who have stayed in them would attest to the fact that, in a family environment like that, they are well looked after and get very good accommodation.

To go back to what I said earlier in response to Deputy Farrell, in conjunction with myself, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, has brought forward a memorandum on 51-week and 40-week leases. I know some of the Deputies were missing for that. I acknowledge Deputy Wynne's contribution in that regard. That will be very important because it will remove 12 weeks of rent that families have to pay. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is the lead Minister for the legislation and will be bringing it forward as soon as possible. Obviously, there will be short time for engagement if we are to have it passed before the Dáil and the Seanad rise. I hope that Deputies will look at that as an opportunity to address this exact issue and to make sure that there are not situations where students are being asked to pay for months when they are not in the accommodation and to instead only pay for the 40 weeks they are supposed to be there.

I will reply to Deputy Durkan afterwards on the specific issues he has raised.

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