Mr. Tom Parlon:

Deputy Funchion asked about wage increases. It is supply and demand. We are engaged with the unions at the moment in dealing with wage increase demands. There is a new SEO in place instead of the old REA and the demand is upwards. If you are a tradesman at the moment you can certainly negotiate good terms for yourself. The Deputy also asked about urban regeneration and Mr. Fitzpatrick will refer to that. We see major scope for it. In the past, ghost estates came about as a result of over-generous tax incentives to build where there was insufficient demand, and the industry suffered as a result. Any such scheme would need to be well tailored and, as Mr. Fitzpatrick said, would need to be very specific. In a town like Bagenalstown in County Carlow, where there is scope to renovate 20 units above a shop, the people with the skills and know-how to do it live within seven to ten miles of the town. If the units were good quality living spaces I am sure people would take them up.