Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----and to housing those who are homeless. I feel there are a few things councils could look at doing. I would like the Minister to come to the House to have a debate with us on the issues. One of the things I am concerned about is the repair and lease scheme. It was instigated by the previous housing Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney. It is a very good scheme but it has not been taken up at all. I think only 15 people have taken it up in the last years.

My suggestion would be that the councils may not be advertising it and pushing it enough. Perhaps the Minister could put pressure on them to promote it better. I am also worried about staffing issues and the lack of clerks of works. The clerk of works in Athlone and the south Westmeath area works on his own and is under pressure. Perhaps that is another way we could look at it. If we had the Minister in the House, we could discuss this with him.

Sinn Féin's motion of no confidence in the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government this evening is a stunt.It does not have a monopoly on compassion. We all know everyone should have a home. I firmly believe that calling for a vote on a motion of no confidence in the Minister will do nothing for the people who are living in hubs or for those who are on the housing waiting lists. Sinn Féin would be better served using its time tonight to come up with suggestions and solutions, and trying to help the Government to house people who are looking for housing, instead of calling for votes of no confidence, because, to me, such calls are stunts.