Mr. Gordon Daly:

It is linked to what my colleagues have said. There is a backlog of voids already and we are working to get those done while taking on further properties. These would be effectively voids as well. They are derelict properties. The idea is not to put a further burden on the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which is already working through an existing backlog of properties. We are trying to meet what is an objective in Housing for All, whereby there is a target of 2,500 vacant or derelict houses to be acquired by local authorities and sold on the open market. That is what we are doing. Also, particularly in small towns and villages, these are a form of affordable housing. We have sold derelict houses for €40,000 or €50,000. It might take €100,000 to get them back up and running.

That is an affordable house in a different way.