Ms Mary Hurley:

I have a quick comment. There was a query regarding approving and funding projects. Our budget this year is €2.4 billion for housing. To date this year, we have already provided €890 million for a range of housing activities and capital works across the country. That is supporting 322 projects with more than 5,600 homes in development. We also have 20,000 build units in the pipeline. The funding is, therefore, in place. The Deputy will be aware, because we have spoken about this matter previously, that there has been much discussion concerning the four-stage approval process. We have reviewed that process in the Department and we are working very closely with the local authorities to meet the timeframe for moving projects on as quickly as possible through the system. We are working well together with the local government system. Where issues arise we try to move them along as quickly as possible while always ensuring value for money.