Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will come back to the Deputy with a more detailed note.

I think it was Deputy D'Arcy who raised the issue of TAMS, which I know will be of interest to members. We faced choices in the Department. We could have slowed down the roll-out of individual programmes. We went with the maximum possible roll-out at the earliest possible date. We are struggling to put in place the appropriate back-office arrangements to deal with it. Payments are to start in July in respect of the specific matter that was raised.

I think Deputy McConalogue tabled a detailed parliamentary question on approvals last week. Since the reply to that question was issued, the number of approvals has increased significantly. They are going out on a daily basis. I acknowledge that if we are to be criticised for anything, it is for ambition to get the schemes open to people at the earliest possible date. We are commencing payment in July. If there is a specific application that is stuck in the system that needs approval for winter housing or pollution control measures, the Department would look at those on an individual case by case basis where necessary.