Ms Deirdre Fallon:

In response to Deputy Casey's query on rural housing and statistics, any statistics collected will be reflective of the broader economic context but the figures we quote in terms of rural housing still illustrate that there is quite a significant number of units being granted at a national level. In the context of today's discussion about the forthcoming NPF, the approach it takes to rural housing will impact on other issues such as transport, energy and climate change. It is within that framework that the approach we take to it needs to be considered. More broadly, there has been much discussion about the demise of rural towns and villages. The Department's presentation noted the level of vacancy in towns. There needs to be a focus on these towns and villages and any changes to rural housing policy needs to be accompanied by realistic alternatives to that which, as I mentioned, should be centred on our rural towns and villages as service centres and as population centres.

Mr. Ciarán Tracey will speak on the issue of rural housing and Mr. Henk van der Kamp will speak on the issue that Deputy Ó Broin raised on the spatial and geographic link to socioeconomic disadvantage.