The housing situation in Galway city has gone beyond a crisis. More than 5,000 families on the housing waiting list and 25 families presented themselves as homeless in the last month, and that is expected to rise to the high 40s at the end of this month.

That sounds like a Topical Issue.

I raised this issue with the Tánaiste last week. She said that Galway City Council was given approval to take on extra staff to deal with the crisis, but it has not. When does the Taoiseach expect the housing Bill to be brought before the House?

Which housing Bill?

Will these crisis issues be dealt with and will the Government give approval to Galway City Council to take on extra staff to deal with this crisis?

This is the Order of Business. Is there a housing Bill?

The local authorities have already been given both their money and their instructions to get on with building the social housing for which the Government opened up €2 billion.

They have not got the money.

They have not got the extra cash.

They are well short of the money.

They have not got the money.

We are not having a debate.

I am not sure whether Deputy Grealish is saying that the lack of staff is the fault or the lack of supply of houses. Chief executives in local authorities are entitled to move staff around to meet demand. The problem in Galway - or in Cork, Limerick, Dublin, or anywhere else - is supply.

Management of local government.

Competent contractors must now comply with new regulations from the Central Bank, that is, to put up 40% of the equity themselves. The Government is trying to help them with NTMA proposals and so on. There is also the planning process, with objections and so on, as the Deputy is well aware. The question is how fast the supply requirement can be met and that means blocks and concrete on the ground.

If we go down that road, we will have a debate on all issues.