Jimmy Harte (Labour) | Oireachtas source

It may not be palatable to say a voluntary housing group must pay. I take it properties in County Donegal will probably be at the low end of the ¤90,000 to ¤100,000 range. It is fair that everyone should pay something and if the figure will be only ¤90 in County Donegal, it will not be an inordinate amount of money. The Simon Community, Respond! and other groups are always fund-raising and also receive good Government grants. Even though on the surface this seems to be hammering social housing organisations, at the same time the voluntary housing element of local authorities is very important and has been working very well. I hope voluntary housing associations will see extra services being provided in their areas to justify the charge of ¤90 or however much it will be. I share the sentiments of the Minister.