I would like to query the appropriateness of a wording that is growing more commonplace in accommodation rental advertisements. We are familiar with the use of the wording "rent allowance not accepted", but I wish to focus on the wording "not for student rental". While we all know of horror stories regarding some student rentals, I suggest it is highly questionable to use this wording in an advertisement. I wonder whether it is discriminatory or fair. I would like the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to address the matter. I believe prospective landlords should agree to meet students before saying they will not rent to them. I am raising this issue because I have been contacted by a number of students who have been looking for accommodation in places like Maynooth and Dublin since early May. They have spent six or seven weeks looking for accommodation. They are being blocked off at advertisement level. Even when they phone up to point out that they are final year students or are doing theses, they are unable to get a meeting.

Is the Senator looking for a debate on this issue?

Yes. I ask the Leader to contact the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to query whether this practice is fair or right. Surely there is another way of handling this. The deposit that students have to pay could be increased, if necessary, but they should not be cut off at first base. They should not have to hear that they cannot be accommodated at all. We have quite a problem with homelessness in this country. We need to give people fair play, at least. The same thing applies to the wording "rent allowance not accepted". We have work to do in this area.