There are 60,000 households, many of them families with children, in receipt of the housing assistance payment, HAP. They are classed as having their housing needs met but I want to give the Tánaiste a case of one person in my constituency. Last night, I met a father with two young children who told me that he was sick with worry about being able to afford the weekly shop. He got to the Lidl counter and his debit card was declined. He had to walk away and explain to his kids why they had to leave the week's groceries behind. He lives in a private rental property that is riddled with mould and damp but he cannot complain for fear the landlord will evict him. Where would he go? He receives the HAP and now faces rent increases from Dublin City Council that will push him over the edge. He told me his story last night with incredible dignity but in the end, he broke down and cried. He feels hopeless but he is doing is best to keep going for his kids and his community.

The social contract is broken for this father and for thousands of families in Finglas, Ballymun and across this country who cannot afford the rent hikes from private landlords or, now, from city councils, too. They face eviction. They live with mould and damp, which is damaging their and their kids' health. What is the Government going to do to support these households to ensure that they are not going to face eviction and that councils have enough funding to deliver maintenance so that tenants are not living with mould and damp?

First, I thank the Deputy for sharing that story with the Dáil. If the Deputy sends on the details to my office, I will be very happy to engage directly with Dublin City Council. People should not feel that fear if they are in a damp and inadequate property that - I say this not to be disrespectful - the taxpayer is helping to fund. They should not be expected to endure substandard accommodation. Dublin City Council, which is one of our largest local authorities, must intervene there.

I would argue that, when it comes to the issue of the social contract, fair rents being set for social housing is an important part of that, too. It is an important part of getting that balance right. There are significant supports, as there should be, available to help people in need in relation to housing but it is also very important that the rent levels reflect reality. Local authorities, generally, exercise significant restraint in relation to that.

There is obviously a very difficult and very upsetting case there of a man doing his best for his children. If the Deputy is happy to send me the details, I am happy to follow up.