Mr. Eddie Taaffe:

There is a recognition that private sector contractors have much experience and benefit to bring in delivering houses in a cost-effective manner. It is important to remember that local authorities are still very much to the forefront of designing these housing schemes and placing them in areas where they are sustainable, either in terms of infill developments or extensions to developments, or where they are close to services. Local authorities are absolutely front and centre in ensuring social houses are built to meet need where it is greatest and in areas where services are already in place, for example. It is about building communities sustainably. The local authorities are very much front and centre on that and are contracting with the private sector to get these homes built.