Michael McCarthy (Labour)

Absolutely, even if they are in that particular category. I am not being ageist, but in terms of the age profile of such applicants, they are significantly higher than the normal applicant.

There were such a high number of male applicants that the local authority designated a scheme of ten houses to people in that category, and also to single females. That was universally welcomed in the community. While allocations meet the need of a number of people and bring untold happiness to those who are lucky enough to get them, those who do not get such an allocation remain unhappy. With regard to this particular case, I had never witnessed an allocation on which there was universal approval. All those allocated a house in that scheme were genuinely decent people on low incomes who had worked all their lives and such allocations were a recognition of their status by the local authority, which was welcome. I do not know if it is possible for a Minister to do this, but the issue of parity and equality in the allocation of units should be examined in the longer term. It stands to reason that someone with a number of children in bad accommodation should get a house, but we should not discriminate against single applicants.