Mr. Gormley: The Minister said that average rents are decreasing. Does she accept that there are also cases where rents are increasing? She spoke of flexibility within the scheme where community welfare officers can make a judgment. Will she elaborate on that? Does the Minister accept that there are people on the housing list who are genuinely concerned about cap? Can she say anything to allay their fears?
Does the Minister agree that we need to look at security of tenure for tenants? In her capacity as Minister for Social and Family Affairs, has she raised this at Cabinet, particularly with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, who could introduce such legislation? Such legislation is the norm in continental Europe. In Germany a person cannot be given a month’s notice to quit and rent cannot be increased overnight. Deputy Ring stated that this is the most right wing Government in Europe but does the Minister accept that there is now a compelling case for security of tenure?
Mary Coughlan: Last year €252.3 million was made available and this year €304 million is being made available for rental allowances in my Department, the majority of which is being spent on rent supplement, with the rest going on single exceptional needs payments.
Most Members of the House have experience on local authorities and appreciate the problems with housing. I have a difficulty with the manner in which an income support Department is estranged from the housing sector.
