Mr. John McCarthy:

The issue that arose in 2017 in relation to the LIHAF scheme is that we insisted that local authorities would enter into written agreements with developers in terms of what would be delivered for the public investment that was taking place, and that did take considerably longer than we expected and longer than we liked, but it was an important part of ensuring that we will get the outcomes that we want.

At this stage, under the scheme, one project has been completed and four commenced construction last year, including the one to which Deputy Farrell referred. Another seven to eight projects will probably be started by the middle of the year and the balance will come through and will most likely get under way in the second half of the year.