Ms Mary Hurley:

I might touch on the voids issue first and then deal with the delivery issue. Under Rebuilding Ireland, there is a blend of delivery modes. As the programme has rolled out, fewer void units were being counted in terms of delivery. This year, 303 void units will be counted for the purposes of Rebuilding Ireland, but the Department is funding many more than that. We will issue approvals to local authorities over the coming days in relation to that. I agree completely with the Deputy that it makes absolute sense where one has a unit that can be brought back into stock very quickly for less than the cost of a build; it is a no-brainer. We are, therefore, working with local authorities on voids.

We are also putting a planned maintenance programme in place. Work is under way with the County and City Management Association to ensure that the stock we have is maintained and that we do not get to a stage where a great deal more has to be done when someone leaves a property void. A two-pronged approach is being taken in that regard. For the purposes of Rebuilding Ireland, we will be counting so many. However, we will still fund local authorities to bring useful units back into use for families-----