Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----because in terms of rehousing people he is almost a one man band, although he has volunteers. In terms of the problem of homelessness, we might consider having a dedicated officer in each county to determine the number of people who are homeless. Mr. and Mrs. Average who find themselves homeless might be interested in moving to the country. We should look anew at that. About ten years ago, homeless persons were given the option to consider the rural resettlement scheme, but that seems to have died a death, so to speak. Jim Connolly should be helped to examine this issue in an innovative way with a view to having a dedicated officer in each county because there are people in negative equity now who could be resettled. Also, the situation in terms of employment is different now in that many people who are homeless or are on the verge of homelessness can work in rural areas with the help of IT. The rural resettlement scheme might also be a way of ensuring that rural schools can remain open. The Minister of State, Deputy Ann Phelan, was mentioned in the article to which I referred. She is proactive in this area also. I call for an early debate on the rural resettlement scheme, which might be an innovative way of creating jobs in the countryside.