Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Daly that this is a very serious issue. There has been a 19% increase in the workload of An Bord Pleanála. The Minister is committed to providing more resources and engaging on the matter. As the Senator knows well, he has also reformed the board. We all agree that decisions must be made more quickly and we will work toward that. Let us be fair about this, however, because there has been a 19% increase in the workload of An Bord Pleanála.

Senator Byrne raised the issue of rent controls. As she will recognise, the Government has brought in rent controls in certain parts of the country and they have worked in some places. The problem is that we have some bogus landlords who are not willing to abide by the Government's decision. The Government has given more power and teeth to the Residential Tenancies Board. We must be careful not to work to curb the private rented sector further. The Minister is committed to returning to the House for a debate on the issue, including on the points raised by the Senator.

Senator Warfield raised the issue of direct provision. I concur with the broad sentiment of his remarks. People should not have to wait inordinately in direct provision. The Senator will recognise that changes have been made in regard to direct provision on foot of the McMahon report. That is a work in progress. Some 72% of people are now waiting three years or less as opposed to 36% in 2016 but the points the Senator made are valid. The length of time for some people is much too long. We have changed the application procedure so that there is now one single application. I agree with the Senator that this is a challenge, but I would like to hear his alternative.