Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses and the staff of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the work they have done preparing for today's meeting.

I thank the Department for its work as well and I thank the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, and Ms O'Connor for attending. I also thank Ms Costello, from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, for coming along and providing information to us.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is a big Department with big issues and challenges. We can see and understand that. Regarding the themes, there are a number of issues to come back to us on, including the breakdown of the costs in respect of the PPPs, or the €633,000 per unit. If the delegates are here again, could they discuss further progress on the generic house designs, in addition to the unencumbered units of AHBs when then they come up with the term of the loan? I know a principal officer is working on that but could the committee be kept briefed on it in general? The regulatory authority is another issue. There are several other issues. The delegates will see them from the transcript. I have just mentioned four of the big ones. The big themes coming up today, along with a range of others, are speed of delivery and value for money. We recognise that there are many challenges. We obviously wish the Department well with them. Hopefully, we can move things along and speed things up.

Is it agreed that the clerk will seek follow-up information and carry out any agreed actions? Agreed. Is it agreed that we note and publish the opening statements and briefings provided for today's meeting? Agreed.