John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for what is an exceptionally comprehensive reply. It is obviously fantastic news that the vacant property refurbishment grant will be extended, not only to owner occupiers, but those who wish to do up a property and lease it to the private rental market. It will have a tangible impact in providing additional rental properties within the market. I ask that the ten-year clause is kept in there, to ensure the property remains in the private rental market for at least that period. I welcome the Minister of State's response in that regard.

The proposal to have a cost-rental version of the RLS makes complete sense. Waterford has seen considerable success and, in fact, all agencies and the council would attribute the fact that no bed and breakfasts or hotels have been used for homeless accommodation in the past three years in Waterford, to the success of providing those much-needed one- and two-bedroom properties in predominantly urban areas throughout Waterford. I know from her response that the Minister of State is committed to taking it back to the Department, notwithstanding it not being her Department. It makes complete sense to have a cost-rental version of the scheme. It is not just about the squeeze in the social housing sector, as the Minister of State has said, but the people who are above the social housing income limits.