Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The sum of €100 million is seeing 70 projects through their phase, which is the 2016-17 phase. The number of projects on site is 60. The number identified to commence in 2017 is 42. That is the projection. They are released in blocks. Thirty-six were released in April and 21 in October. There is a continuous flow of projects. Forty-two in all are expected to pass through the gate during 2017. They are at various stages of readiness. Some are only checking out disability and fire certificate requirements and they will go to tender. From 1 January, there will be a new tendering requirement to protect subcontractors. This will apply to some of the projects. The 42 will be coming on stream during the course of 2017.

The Deputy is correct on the fiscal space. If one spends €100 million, the EU counts only €25 million in year one. Then the figures proceed to €50 million, €75 million and €100 million. One uses the fiscal space in tranches so one gets a certain amount of advantage. That will be a feature in the capital review in that the provision will be available as a potential way of considering additional capital.

Approximately €20 million was spent on prefabs in 2016. This is up on €18 million in the previous year, and €16 million in the year preceding that. The programme has been renewed. Some years ago, before circumstances became more difficult, there was a pretty high ambition to proceed more rapidly, but we are now rebuilding the programme. It is for this reason there has been an increase from €16 million to €20 million.

The number of rented prefabs was 984 at the end of 2015. We have not got the most up-to-date position yet but that gives an idea of the scale.