Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

As many as 1,500 units is a very significant number. This seems to be common all around the country. We talk about solutions and we clearly know that we have these planning permissions. These are clearly a focus and are important to this committee. I thank Mr. Kelly for his response.

I am concerned that the county council is not filling the additional 11 staff. Mr. Kelly set out the associated reasons and concerns. I echo those concerns. I believe we need to examine the matter as we have heard about this happening across local authorities.

Senator Carrigy touched on affordable housing. It is exceptionally disappointing in Longford. I am repeating that because I said it earlier. I repeat the same thing concerning Mayo. When I speak about having a little pilot scheme, I do not wish to detract from schemes of ten or 20 houses because they are important - they are people's homes. It is a bit Mickey Mouse or pie in the sky because none of them have been approved. As of today, this committee can categorically say that no affordable housing scheme has been approved for counties Longford and Mayo. Those are the facts as of today. There is a scheme in terms of a site and I will come to that.

Mr. Kelly mentioned that Mayo County Council acquired a site in Castlebar and is working on two other sites but there is a financial constraint. Does the delivery of housing targets depend on the county council acquiring sites?