John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I will raise this matter directly with the Minister. It is a vital issue in terms of streamlining local government and making it more efficient. The information technology and software capacity is already there in many instances. A mandatory deduction would be helpful in terms of safeguarding the income streams of local authority housing sections and would facilitate greater efficiencies in terms of the management of finances locally. I am sure the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, and the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, will not put this issue on the long finger. I will convey the Senator's concerns to the Ministers and ask them to respond directly to him with regard to a timeframe for implementation. I am sure the county managers would be very much in favour of this.

As the Senator said, there are some people who cannot pay and others who do not want to pay. It is a matter of ensuring the correct balance. This is a timely proposal and I assure the Senator I will convey his concerns to the Ministers concerned. From an efficiency and corporate governance perspective, it is a win-win situation.