Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, has made clear, the purpose of the changes is to ensure maximum value is gained from the funding invested in the programme and that funding is targeted at the most vulnerable. The changes follow from a review conducted by the housing agency. The review is available on the agency's website, housing.ie. There has been a good deal of misinformation and scaremongering about this issue. It is important that those concerned about the matter examine the facts, the results of the housing review that took place and the new criteria. Detailed guidance for local authorities is to be issued in the coming weeks. The guidance will draw attention to the flexibility required at local level regarding the grant and it is said no one will be prevented from receiving grant support owing to an inability to pay. We need to be very clear about the facts and the housing adaptation scheme.

I welcome the news that Dublin City Council voted yesterday to reverse the proposed cuts to the homelessness budget. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate in the House with the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, on these issues. We could focus particularly on homelessness. My colleague, Senator Aideen Hayden, has done a lot of work on this issue and been vocal in calling for a debate on homelessness in the House. I am sure the Minister of State will be happy to debate it. It is important that we have the debate with factual information available to us. I have the facts available to me.