Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to discuss this important topic. My concern is around the rent-a-room scheme. There has been so much encouragement for people to join the scheme. I come from County Limerick, where there are three third level institutions. This morning I received a response from one of them to say that unfortunately, they have no accommodation for the number of people on the waiting list. It is a really serious issue. We, as a Government, have announced that people can earn up to €14,000 tax-free under the rent-a-room scheme. That is fine. However, many older people have approached me about the matter. They have considered joining the scheme, but they are concerned about their medical cards. Specifically, they are worried that joining the scheme would affect their entitlement to those cards and that they would lose that entitlement if they went slightly over the threshold. To me, this is a no-brainer. There is a cost-of-living crisis and people are afraid to turn on their heating. They are worried about their bills and the increasing energy costs. For older people who may be medical card holders, joining the scheme would create income for them in the cost-of-living crisis.

Many of the people to whom I refer are widows or widowers who live on their own. The scheme would enable them to have company at home. It would also help to address the student accommodation crisis. It is not going to solve the overall problem, but it will go a long way towards it. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Department of Education are very much in favour of the scheme, but the Department of Health has said nothing. That is really why I am raising the issue today. I believe that the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, and his Department need to come out in support of the scheme. I know that the Minister of State is here to deliver the message on behalf of the Minister. I really acknowledge and admire the work that she does. I believe that the scheme is a win-win for all and look forward to hearing what the Minister of State has to say.