Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I have given the details. I gave them to the Taoiseach when he took the question. There are 15 units with 11 sitting tenants. I wish the Minister of State the best, but when we get an answer like this that contains a lot of padding, it really is unhelpful. If the Minister of State was standing on this side of the House, she would be saying the same thing to me.

Let us look at my very specific question. Has the tenant in situ scheme been suspended pending a decision to be made very soon? We are informed that a decision will be made shortly. Do I take it from this that the existing scheme has been suspended pending said decision? Should I believe what the city council told me in writing and during a phone call, namely that it has been informed that the tenant in situ scheme has been suspended? I would be delighted if the Minister of State would confirm that it has not been suspended and that the council can go ahead and complete the contracts relating to the 15 accommodation units and their 11 sitting tenants.

I am a little confused as a result of the reply. The Minister of State indicated that the programme for Government contains a commitment to continue the tenant in situ programme and that there are annual targets in place. The reply also states: "A decision on a tenant in situ programme for 2025 is expected to be made by Government shortly." Nowhere in the two pages of the detailed reply is it stated whether the existing scheme - not just for the city council in Galway but also for the Minister of State's local authority and other local authorities - has been suspended pending a decision on the new scheme. Mine is a simple question that requires a simple reply. If the Minister of State cannot give me that reply tonight, I would appreciate it if I could get one tomorrow in order that we will where this local authority and other local authorities stand.

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