Martin Conway (Fine Gael)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I acknowledge the work done by our Sinn Féin colleagues on the motion. However, in proposing this amendment I acknowledge the Minister has been in office for just a little over a year. We are faced with an unprecedented economic crisis and there is no doubt landlords have been charging extraordinary rents to people on the basis they know they are in receipt of rent supplement. Quirks exist throughout the country. Senator Ó Clochartaigh pointed out anomalies and I could also do so in County Clare where the amount is much higher in some villages or towns than others and there is also a difference between urban and rural. This is the primary reason it must be moved to local authorities. The housing assistance payment scheme proposed in the amendment is the right step forward.

A number of years ago the RAS scheme was introduced, which meant somebody on rent allowance for more than 18 months was transferred to the local authority which then paid the rent supplement. This has worked reasonably well because council officials know the score and are prepared to advise on dealing with landlords to ensure value for money is achieved. I believe the new housing assistance payment scheme is moving in this direction, whereby the entire rent supplement will be in the full control of local authorities, and I ask the Minister to clarify this. It is necessary to play ground hurling with some of these landlords on the rents they charge.

I also welcome the establishment of the steering group to examine the possibility of using NAMA properties. I also note it is hoped 2,000 NAMA units will be made available for social housing. As everybody here well knows, NAMA was established because of the disaster of the property bubble and development in this country. It would be welcome if some good can come out of this mess for people in need of housing and who have a right to a roof over their head.

This must be done properly. The Minister is quite right to give herself, her officials and other Ministers a period of time to ensure when we move to the housing assistance payment scheme through local authorities it is done correctly and that it is properly investigated, researched and executed. We are dealing with public money. Approximately €450 million has been spent on rent allowance so there is room for improvement. Savings can be made and more can be done to ensure those in need of housing will get good quality accommodation for the money. Nobody wants to be on rent supplement. People want their own homes. Those who are unemployed on a long-term basis deserve the security of knowing their landlord is the State. This is why the proposal with regard to NAMA is welcome.

The amendment tabled in no way takes from the substance of the work done by our Sinn Féin colleagues. I commend them on tabling the issue for discussion. What they propose has huge merit but the amendment strengthens their motion and I call for a unanimous support for the amendment.