Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I, too, welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan. While she has a challenging role, she has hit the ground running and I have no doubt she will do an outstanding job in the years to come.

On voluntary housing projects, how much money will be available in 2012-13 and how will the funding be shared out among the local authorities? I ask this because I am aware of a particularly worthy scheme to provide 17 residential units in Ballinasloe being organised by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

My second question relates to the tenant purchase scheme. I point out to the Minister of State - I raised this issue with the former Minister of State, Deputy Willie Penrose - that there is discrimination against persons on social welfare in the tenant purchase schemes as in order to qualify one must be in secure employment. I am aware of a number of cases in which there is significant income going into a house and those paying the maximum amount in rent could afford to pay an additional €30 or €40 a week towards the cost of buying the house which has been valued at a modest figure. However, because their income is derived mainly income from social welfare payments, they are deemed to be ineligible. Everybody aspires to own his or her own home. This, therefore, is an issue that should be looked at. I am aware of many local authority tenants who probably could afford to buy their home if this situation was rectified.