Senator Norris criticised changes to supplementary welfare payments, particularly rent supplements. As in the case of other social welfare payments, the purpose of the SWA rent supplement is to meet income maintenance needs, not long-term housing needs. The Department of Social and Family Affairs indicated that particular care will be taken when implementing the measure to ensure the interests of vulnerable groups such as the homeless, the elderly and people with a disability are fully protected. Local authorities have primary responsibility for meeting long-term housing needs. The provision in 2004 for local authority and social housing of €1.049 billion will allow for significant investment across a range of targeted measures which are important in terms of tackling poverty and social inclusion. The increase in the housing provision will allow for an increase in the local authority housing starts from 4,500 in 2003 to 5,000 in 2004.