Mr. Declan Dunne:

I will answer that. It is interesting to hear about the NESC report with regard to 2,000 per annum. We also hear about the 440 in the CREL scheme. Ms Keenan has outlined that the Shanganagh scheme will have 306. We are quickly approaching at least 50% of that target, and that is encouraging. However, this is very much the beginning, the initial phase where we all need to prove this model, be satisfied and improve it. There are opportunities to improve it as we proceed. Certainly, the Enniskerry Road project was the initial pathfinder project and we have learned from that.

In terms of engagement with the Department about the funding and scaling up the model, the Housing Alliance has raised this. I represent the alliance on the delivery group that the Minister chairs and we have raised two matters. One is the need for us to get on with this and prove its viability, and then to make the case to the Department for future budget allocations to scale it up. We have also highlighted the importance of the request for expressions of interest to be made much earlier. We had expressions of interest late in December and we are delivering most of this in this year, and that is quite a tight timeline. We believe it is important that it might happen in August and September while there is the parallel process of the Department making its submissions to the Government about budgetary allocations. There is no doubt that is important.

On the issue of classification, we are actively involved in making an effort to reverse classification. We are optimistic about doing that. We are having conversations with National Treasury Management Agency, NTMA, and the Government about it. We believe it is entirely possible for us to address it. The Senator's comments were well made and they must be addressed. We are working hard to address them.

With regard to the elements that go into the cost, we agree that the profit element of this must be reduced as much as possible. The purpose of this is to keep the cost down. I cannot see how involving private sector actors or investors is going to keep those costs down when they are required and entitled to a make a substantial return on investments in order to get the investments they need.

Between the local authorities, the AHBs and the LDA, we would be optimistic that the State could adequately do this, that we are adequately placed to do it and that we are focused on the lowest possible rents for tenants.