Mr. Michael Walsh:

The existing affordable housing schemes require some degree of density of development that is generally not available in the Gaeltacht areas and the use of those in any respect is limited. We will possibly look at some form of social and affordable housing in An Rinn but as of now there is no clear scheme in place, other than the general provision of planning permission for a scheme; in other words that 10% of the housing be affordable. Beyond that there is no scheme in place and we will not have too much development that would deliver significant numbers of units in An Rinn under that category where 10% of the units have to be affordable.

I refer to the tithe samhraidh. We would see the vacancies as predominantly being summer houses. We can put the language conditions on a property but as houses become older they are sold on the open market and it is generally first come first served in terms of price. The second house market in An Rinn is being ruled out for first-time buyers and many locals because of price. We would look at the local need requirements for somebody applying for planning permission for a summer house. We would include the Irish language competency in that. We do not allow new summer houses to be built in that context.