Ms Maria Graham:

The Senator made an interesting point. I was talking to Mr. Logan before the meeting about the many times he has done the town centre first presentation. We have done it for chief executives and directors of housing and planning authorities. The point the Senator made about elected members is an interesting one and we will take that away because there is an important point at the moment around communication. Part of the enabling framework will have a network of town regeneration officers and a national oversight group, which will be very important in bringing all these elements together. It is important to acknowledge that a considerable variety of people were involved in the advisory group that developed the town centre first scheme, under the chairmanship of the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke.

The Senator made an important point about smart data because data are a part of that town regeneration element.

On the vacant home officers, we asked local authorities, in the circular we issued, to come back to us indicating what resources they would put in. They have a period of time within which to come back to us, but as we get to the end of the process, we are happy to share it.

The registers are with the 31 local authorities but we have a series of spreadsheets with, if you like, summary data and information around what is collected and the numbers involved. I am happy to share that with the committee. We have information on vacant sites and derelict sites that might be useful. We can see where the information goes from there.