I would like to raise two issues, the first of which is the supply of rental housing in the market. A report published today by Simon Communities of Ireland shows the widening gap between rent supplement and actual market rents. The report illustrates that 83% of rental properties are beyond the reach of those in receipt of rent supplement. Each year Simon Communities of Ireland supports over 8,300 individuals and families at risk of homelessness. We should take heed of the report because Simon Communities of Ireland is at the coalface of the housing crisis. Ultimately, we need to address the issue of supply in the market because all of these issues are ancillary to supply. There are 2,000 vacant local authority properties lying idle, which begs the question as to why they are not being refurbished. Why have they not been put back into the mainstream local authority supply of social housing? Yesterday I raised issues surrounding the first-time buyer's grant and explained how the scheme was not working effectively. We would not need these cobbled together schemes if we had a decent supply in the market. I ask the Minister to ensure social housing will be built and a proper fund put in place in order that we can start building. I have not been to one sod turning ceremony in my constituency, although I would like to attend one to see such construction.

The second issue I wish to raise concerns funding for drug and alcohol prevention task forces, both in my area and many cities throughout the country. It has recently come to my attention that the HSE has been reducing funding for addiction services in the south inner city. For the past 24 months the south inner city local drug and alcohol task force has been run on a part-time basis with the support of volunteers. Furthermore, members of the task force conveyed their shock to me when they learned that a co-ordinator of a nearby task force was allowed to recruit another HSE staffer when it already had a full-time staff member. I find it shocking and of serious concern to see more cuts in essential services in Dublin South Central. In this Chamber I have previously raised concerns about the concentration of homeless hostels in my constituency and the lack of investment in public spaces and green areas. With a high concentration of homeless hostels, lack of investment in public spaces and cuts to addiction services, it is time to stop using urban areas as a dumping ground for the city's problems and start calling on the Government to begin investing in essential services.

I welcome today's announcement of on-the-spot road checks for the use of narcotics by drivers. It will go some way towards alleviating the numbers of road deaths.