Ms Geraldine Tallon:

We are seeking to maintain to the greatest extent possible the highest volume of output that we can, while we are inevitably and unavoidably constrained on the financial side. Construction output in terms of housing households through construction and acquisition has reduced significantly in recent years. The number of households with needs met through construction and acquisition was just over 4,000 in 2009 but was less than 1,000 in 2011. As against that, the number of households whose need was met by leasing was approximately 430 in 2009 and was nearly 1,200 in 2011. We have had to change the method of provision but we have sought as far as possible within that change to continue to provide suitable, appropriate accommodation for the maximum possible number of households. The type of provision has changed.