Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the decision by drivers at Dublin Bus, represented by SIPTU, not to proceed with industrial action. The decision is in the best interest of the employees, the company and the travelling public. I hope that Dublin Bus can be restored to profitability and continues to provide a proper and appropriate service to the travelling public.

I support the call to arrange a discussion on vacant houses with the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan. I appreciate and realise that €15 million has been allocated in this year's budget to repair some of the housing stock. The speed at which local authorities turn houses around is insufficient. I agree with Senator Wilson that there should be a form of penalty when houses are left in an appalling condition and vandalised by tenants. No citizen of this country should walk away with impunity if he or she has vandalised a property of the State that the taxpayer is hard pressed to pay for.

The ongoing maintenance of local authority houses is a difficult issue. I want a system introduced that would incentive tenants to maintain their houses in an appropriate fashion. I also want a system to deal with minor repairs. Rather than the local authority having to do the work, the tenant could carry out such work and earn a credit that he or she can put towards rent. Local authority housing should be the subject for a very significant debate in the House.

I am very pleased with the announcement by the Minister for Education and Skills of an allocation of €70 million for school improvements.

The reintroduction of the summer works scheme will be greatly welcomed, especially in my county of Galway. Over the years that scheme provided much-needed repairs and significant improvements to schools. In recent years schools were under severe pressure to have repairs carried out to keep going. I urge schools to get their applications in quickly. For primary schools the application process for the small works scheme is pretty straightforward. I look forward to seeing a significant improvement in our school stock in the coming months.