Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The three areas provided for in the Supplementary Estimates are of significant importance. The extra €60 million for homelessness is very welcome. The Minister outlined the commitment of the Department to dealing with homelessness and housing as well as the supports and services that go with that. He outlined the priority of preventing homelessness in the first place.

On local government, as members will be aware, the allocation of €300 million is critical to local authorities. Local government funding is a theme at which the committee will be looking. We hope to have the Minister back in on that issue. I know that the €300 million is emergency funding to get them through the Covid period.

The investment in Irish Water is important. Members may have seen a report relating to this issue that was published today in The Irish Times.For many decades there has been underinvestment in the water network, both in terms of treatment and discharges.

I invite members to ask questions of the Minister on the Supplementary Estimates. I call Deputy Higgins.