Mr. Eddie Taaffe:

On the delivery of associated community infrastructure for housing developments, in the case of a couple of instances, local authorities are making cases for funding for community infrastructure to be tied in with the funding for the housing schemes. The Department, in discussions we have had with it, is open to that argument being made, particularly where it is a requirement and condition of the public consultation process that associated infrastructure like playgrounds or community facilities are tied into housing developments. It strengthens the hand of local authorities to get the funding and get the infrastructure delivered because it is a condition of the public consultation planning process. We are having ongoing discussions in this regard and there is a recognition from the Department that where there is a community deficit of infrastructure associated with particular housing schemes, a level of funding to address it should be provided under those schemes.