For months we have been asking the Government to increase the social housing income thresholds. There was an announcement a couple of weeks ago, but we have had no detail about that whatsoever. There needs to be a debate to establish what the new thresholds are and, critically, whether the thousands of people who were taken off the housing list in recent years because of the failure of the Government to increase the thresholds will be restored to the list. We also need to know what will happen to people who are above the new thresholds and what housing supports they will get if they find themselves threatened with eviction or homelessness or if they are unable to afford market prices on houses. Those matters need to be discussed before the end of this term. Will we get a commitment from the Government to that effect?

A couple of weeks ago-----

Is this the Order of Business?

Yes.

A couple of weeks ago, I raised the need for an urgent intervention in respect of families who are in homes that are not fit for human habitation. The relevant legislation was passed in July, but those families were protesting outside the Donegal County Council offices in Lifford yesterday. They are desperate. They are in houses with black mould on the walls. Their houses are crumbling and falling down around them.

This is the Order of Business. Is there a question?

Can I get an update on what is going to happen? Will this matter be resolved? If not, we need an urgent statement from the Minister.

Deputy Bacik expressed her concern regarding the consolidated planning and development Bill, which the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage will bring to Government on 13 December. I have repeatedly stated that we will publish the Bill before the end of the year but that it will go into the pre-legislative scrutiny process because it is a major legislative measure and will require such scrutiny. The Minister will be bringing forward the planning and development and foreshore (amendment) Bill in respect of An Bord Pleanála. The heads of the Bill were approved by Cabinet earlier today. The Minister will bring the Bill before the Seanad next week. That Bill will provide for amendments in respect of An Bord Pleanála and will also contain emergency measures to accelerate the provision of rapid social housing on public lands. That will be debated in the House.

On Deputy Fitzpatrick's comments, all parties need to get together in the context of housing projects that come before local authorities. I refer, in particular, to projects envisaged for lands that local authorities own. There needs to be quick agreement in respect of how those lands should be used for housing. The Government published Housing for All. We appeal to everybody to get behind Housing for All and not to be opposing projects too easily. Too many projects are being opposed for local political reasons at a time when we have a major crisis in the context of trying to get more houses built as rapidly as we can.

Deputy Whitmore referred to the House sitting on 17 December. This is similar to what happened when the Government was first formed.

It has merits and challenges. The Oireachtas committee is engaging with the childcare providers in respect of what can be done on the day. It will allow for flexibility in the following week, which is probably arguably more child-friendly in some respects. In other words, Deputies will have more flexibility in the crucial days leading up to Christmas. That is a consideration also.

Deputy Mattie McGrath raised the need for an urgent debate on the bank bonuses. Again, it is not bonuses for people earning more than €500,000. The removal of the cap is about basic remuneration, and to allow bonuses and variable pay for ordinary workers at all levels of the banks, and standard benefits as well. I do not know why the Deputy would be against workers in banks.