Ms Maria Graham:

I will get precise numbers for the Deputy but broadly speaking, in Dublin there are approximately 40,000 extant planning permissions and there are 70,000 to 80,000 nationwide. We will be monitoring the number of strategic housing developments granted by the board and not quashed, as well as the timeline to delivery. Normally speaking, one would expect to see a development start within two years but we were concerned at the beginning of Housing for All that many of the permissions are not turning into housing. That is why there are a number of actions in Housing for All dealing with issues around viability, such as the Croí Cónaithe cities scheme, with the provision for the first homes launched during the week. There are also broader issues regarding cost of construction because many of the strategic housing developments are very large and they tend to be apartments.

We know that the costs of building them are quite high. From a policy perspective, we look at the outcome of the board, which gives us the data. We then look at the data in terms of what has started. We can pass that on to the committee.