Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. An opportunity is lost by not having a comprehensive policy in place. The housing market has been at a standstill for the past four years and there are many elderly people who wish to make the move and want the security. I ask the Department to examine the issue and put in place a comprehensive policy. The Minister of State will recall the 1980s when we gave a £5,000 grant to people for the surrender of local authority houses. Suddenly, this resulted in a large number of houses becoming available at low cost which in turn created its own social issues afterwards. However, the measure was not thought out to any great extent. This is an opportunity that is being allowed pass us by. The issue should be examined to ascertain whether a comprehensive policy can be put in place. We should not allow the opportunity pass us by where we can get good property and where elderly people would be well looked after. Given that we are losing out on all fronts I ask that policy be reviewed in that area.