Tá na figiúirí a tháinig amach ó daft.ie inniu ag cur an-imní orm. Léiríonn siad go bhfuil ardú an-suntasach tagtha ar phraghas tithe ar cíos.

The most recent daft.ie figures regarding the rental sector are very disturbing. We see massive increases once more - up to 10.9% in my home county of Galway and 10% in Galway city - on top of the huge increases that have already taken place. Prices in the rental sector in Galway have almost doubled since 2012. I was very proud to stand yesterday with the Galway Housing Action Group, which is drawing attention to the issues surrounding homelessness in Galway city. It is quite ironic, then, that I have been sent documentation concerning irregularities in the allocation of housing under the affordable social housing scheme that has been operated by Galway City Council. According to the documents I have been sent, former senior management officials were allocated housing under the scheme who did not fit its criteria. That a retired head of a particular department whose income would be publicly known to be in excess of the limits allowable under the affordable social housing scheme was given a house is a very serious matter. Furthermore, I am told he already had a primary residence prior to purchasing the house. I am informed that other senior officials were awarded houses in excess of their needs as well - for example, three-bedroomed houses for single occupancy.

I think a Commencement matter concerning this issue has been tabled.

It is believed that these senior officials cherry-picked the higher-spec houses and inevitably breached the waiting list for these sought-after dwellings.

Does the Senator want two bites at the cherry?

This is a very serious issue of allegations of officials-----

I am just pointing out that a Commencement matter concerning the issue has been tabled.

My understanding was that it had been-----

The Senator's time is up.

-----turned down as a Commencement matter.

It has not been selected for tomorrow but it may be selected another day.

It is an issue that needs to be brought to the floor of the House. I wish to know whether the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government is aware-----

I am sorry-----

-----that this has happened. Is he aware that it has happened in other local authorities?

Tá an t-am istigh.

If so, what does he intend to do about it?

I thank the Senator.

There are people languishing on housing lists and it would appear-----

I thank the Senator.

-----that there are housing officials taking houses ahead of them on the list, which is absolutely disgraceful. I hope the issue is taken as a Commencement matter before the end of the week.