Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the calls for a debate on housing as a matter of urgency. I have received numerous representations over the last number of months from people with very serious disabilities and medical conditions, which are daily becoming worse due to a lack of appropriate accommodation. I understand there are cutbacks due to the current financial situation but, in the meantime, over the last year I have been approached by many people with a disability who are waiting to be moved to a house, but one is continually told that they cannot be moved. It is a huge problem.

I raised the issue of long-term rental for persons with a disability in an Adjournment debate. When I raised it with the local authority the council said it could not be done because it could not make adaptations to any house. I seek clarification on that matter from the Minister. I know she spoke about it last week in the House, but in situations where changes could be made for people who are in social housing or who need to have their houses adapted for disability reasons, this should be done. Housing, and specifically the issue of disability and homelessness, must be a priority issue for debate in this House early in the new session and particularly before there are discussions about the budgets.

On a lighter and happier note, I had the pleasure of attending the fifth annual Dundalk LGBT - lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender - Pride Festival launch on Monday. The festival has grown each year and it was brilliant to see the number of people there. It was launched by Fine Gael Deputy Jerry Buttimer. The festival aims to bring awareness to LGBT issues and to bring the excellent work being done by Dundalk Outcomers, which I can attest is an excellent local organisation, to the wider community. The theme this year is family. I have watched the festival grow in strength over the last five years and I was delighted to take part on Monday. I commend Dundalk Outcomers and everybody who is taking part in this excellent and inclusive initiative.