Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

The Minister stated he would have discussions with some of his colleagues, presumably including those from the housing sector, over the course of the summer. The Department of Social Protection will be providing €500 million to resolve a problem that, from a political perspective, should be solved by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. We often mention how, through the decades, a lack of joined up Government planning has posed a difficulty. Does the Minister's Department have a working group or would it try to develop one with the appropriate housing Department to consider how best to use this sum of money? Only when the Minister put the amount on the record in his informative responses were we struck by the figure. In the current economic climate when billions and trillions are mentioned, €500 million does not always hit the front page, but it is still a great deal of money and we have a duty to determine how best to use it.

Our primary duty is to ensure that citizens are housed in the best possible circumstances. We must be thankful for how rent allowance has contributed to the solution, but the amount of money is considerable and, from a long-term perspective, the two Departments must ensure it is spent in a strategic and well planned manner. Is the Minister in discussions along these lines and will we see new policy initiatives?