Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome members and viewers who may watching our proceedings on Oireachtas TV to the meeting. The Dáil has ordered that a Supplementary Estimate for Public Services in respect of Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage - for a sum not exceeding €198,915,000 be referred to this committee for consideration.

The purpose of this morning's meeting is to consider that Supplementary Estimate. On behalf of the select committee I welcome the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. Briefing documents provided by the Department were circulated in advance of the meeting.

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The format of today's meeting is that the Minister will give an overview of the Supplementary Estimate and I will then open the floor the questions from members of the committee. I invite the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make his opening statement.