Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change) | Oireachtas source

I was listening intently to the debate this morning on the tenant in situ scheme. I need to ask the Minister a specific question. I have been dealing with the Housing Agency. A family living in my estate is approved for the Housing Agency's cost-rental tenant in situ scheme. The two-bedroom house went on the market for €290,000. It appears the Housing Agency bid for it but a private bid came in for €340,000, ironically at the same cost as the controversial bike shed. The Housing Agency could not go any higher with its offer. I have been struggling to get transparency from the agency. There are similar houses in the area going for up to €100,000 more than the house in question. It was well within the acquisition cost guidelines for the area. I cannot get a straight answer from the Housing Agency as to what went on. It will not talk to you directly; it will deal with you only by email. Will the Minister provide me with detailed information on how the Housing Agency valuation process works? Will he liaise with me on this case because it involves a very desperate family with a child with additional needs facing eviction on 30 October, with very few options left on the table?

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