Eileen Flynn (Independent)

I am seeking a debate on defective concrete. It is not just Donegal where people's houses are crumbling around them; it is happening all over the country. We need to talk about this matter in both Houses. My colleague Deputy Charles Ward wants to include another 40 families in the current redress scheme. This issue is bigger than the 40 families Deputy Ward wants to be include in the scheme. We have not touched on the local authority or the social housing which has been impacted by defective bricks. We need to have that conversation. I have no problem with drawing up legislation that includes local authority houses and community services. This is not just a matter for Donegal, as I said. It affects the whole country. I would welcome a debate in early January or February on affected concrete in these Houses in order that we can all get a feel for what is happening on the ground. The issue of social housing should be included in that debate.

Travellers in Donegal came to me about five months ago to tell me that Traveller accommodation with affected concrete bricks is not included in the scheme and neither are local authorities. We already have a housing crisis. In some parts of the country, buildings are falling down. We need to have a serious conversation and work collectively as legislators to include social housing in the scheme.