Mr. Maurice Manning:

The Gaeltacht areas in County Cork are not locations where there is an especially high demand for social housing and there is nothing in our allocation scheme that gives priority to Irish speakers. We recognise we have an obligation to try to attract Irish speakers to any schemes that are available. Demand is low and social housing developments have been limited over recent times in Gaeltacht areas. We have set out our experience with the most recent scheme of ten houses in Baile Bhuirne. We try to attract Irish speakers, either local speakers or those coming into the area who might have had an interest in being housed in that scheme. However, interest has been limited and that will certainly impact on future plans for social housing in the Gaeltacht area.