Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the fact the Government is committed to continuing the tenant in situ programme but a number of people have to be out of their home in mid-March. At the moment, the local authority is telling them it does not know if it can purchase it because it does not have the funding. If the Minister of State can bring back one key message, it is that the Department needs to decide as quickly as possible how much money it will give to each local authority. There is a huge fear factor out there. I spoke to one lady who has been 26 years in the same house. They have been given the notice and they are so upset. They are in their 60s. They are saying they cannot get a mortgage and asking where they will find somewhere to rent. It is an important issue. If the Minister of State could get that message back, I would appreciate it.