Mr. Paul Johnston:

I just answered that question. We have specifically targeted vacant properties through both schemes as part of our social housing delivery. Approximately 30% of our delivery has been through the return to use of vacant properties. We have done that deliberately because of the benefits it provides. Some 25% of our applicants want to live in Waterford city centre and this approach is a clear and obvious way of delivering that.

To answer the Senator’s question, we do have targets. Going forward, we have approximately 50 units per annum under the repair and lease scheme. As Mr. Grimes mentioned, the planning exemptions have been beneficial. Again, much of this is about value and how things are valued. The value of public houses has changed. One has to look at the value in property and the use in property. Much of this relative. It goes back to the value of the information, which was mentioned, how it is used and how that value is brought to bear to get all of these properties back into use. As the Senator mentioned, the exemption does not currently extend to licensed premises. I believe that was because the licence on a premises was a way of controlling that. A further change would be required to get those premises into use.