Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Apologies for nipping out. I was at a meeting of the Committee on Public Petitions next door which is discussing thatched roofs. That is relevant here because we want to make sure that heritage buildings do not become derelict sites or vacant buildings. That has much to do with what we have been talking about over the past hours.

The extension to Dublin of Croí Cónaithe is a welcome move. I am glad that so many of my constituents will be able to avail of the scheme and we will be see derelict properties put back into use, unlocked and made into people’s homes. That funding has been well received. It is part of an overall package of €5.9 billion, a massive amount of money for a Department. I am keen to understand what that level of funding and investment looks like in communities throughout our country. In my own area most of the funding for my local authority comes through the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. We can see investment South Dublin County Council and the Department are making in my communities. We see housing projects, cranes and diggers on site and hard hats. We know that voids are being turned around, social housing projects are under construction and discounted homes such as those in Kilcarbery are coming on stream. In Lucan, where I live, we have two new parks. One is under construction and the other was opened by the Minister in the past 12 months. Both of these parks were funded under the urban regeneration and development fund, URDF. There is expenditure on planned community centres, for example, in Saggart where construction is under way. A 40 million l reservoir in my area will serve communities throughout Dublin, making sure they have access to reliable, clean drinking water. There are new playgrounds and teen spaces being opened in Griffeen Valley Park and north Clondalkin. Our villages and businesses are being invested in, with grants for shop fronts. On a national scale, what is €5.9 billion going to deliver for people throughout Ireland?