Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is not the case now because those negotiations have commenced. The meetings did not take place until all local authorities had been told this was about to happen. Those discussions have commenced. The key thing to note is that at the end of year one 50% of the fund had been drawn down but we had expected that 30% would have been drawn down. The second key point to note is that at the end of year one we realised that the fund was going to be drawn down more quickly than anticipated and that is what I stated in the Dáil in January. That is why we have commenced these early discussions with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. However, looking at the potential drawdown rates based on approvals given to date, the Department notified all local authorities that further funding would be required in the course of this year and that discussions in that regard were about to commence. Those contacts was made over the course of the past two weeks. To be clear, those discussions are now happening. The fund is still open and applications are still to be received. We will conclude the negotiations or discussions as quickly as possible in regard to more money being made available. I think I have addressed all the questions posed by the Deputy.