I want to raise the issue of the time it is taking for social housing applications to be processed by Galway County Council.

Obviously, it is supposed to be a 12-week period, but it has come to my attention that it has taken far longer for a number of people. It seems to be an issue of resources. Could that be looked at specifically for those councils where the process is taking a longer time? These days, unfortunately, when people are applying for housing supports, it is often because they are in a crisis. I have dealt with people who have had housing assistance payment, HAP, rental properties secured but have not been able to get their applications processed in time to get the HAP and keep the property.

I am afraid that is probably a question that Galway County Council can answer better than me, but it is important that our council housing and planning departments are adequately staffed for the reasons the Deputy has outlined. I will certainly make the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, aware that the issue was raised today.