Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I concur with the comments of Senator McGreehan. Our teaching of history is something I always have issues with. We learn more about the Boer War and the First World War than we do about Irish history. Unfortunately, the younger generation is learning about Irish history through social media rather than learning the facts. This is something that needs to be looked at and should have been looked at before now, especially during our decade of centenaries. We need to know and understand the facts of our history.

I will also raise the issue of affordable housing income thresholds. As the Cathaoirleach well knows, I come from County Longford, which is not eligible for the affordable housing scheme. It is one of the very few counties in the country in that position. Yet, when we look for an increase in the income thresholds for social housing, we are not eligible for that either. A number of other counties recently had their thresholds increased by €5,000 up to €30,000 for a single person and pro ratafor a married couple. We have a significant number of families who are locked in a position where they are not eligible for social housing and are in areas that do not have an affordable housing scheme. In addition, no private houses are being built in the county at all because no developer is able to get the finance, or the market is not there as we do not have an affordable element in developments. We are almost being discriminated against as a county with regard to our housing. As I said, a large number of families and young couples are looking to get into the market.

A review needs to be done. We cannot have a situation where someone is eligible in one county but is not in another. That happens to be the case in my constituency of Longford-Westmeath, where there are affordable housing schemes in Westmeath but not Longford. It all depends on what side of the border someone is on. That needs to be reviewed. Everybody in the country should be eligible for any scheme we introduce.