Mr. Fintan Towey:

In the case of both schemes, it is really the local authority that is at the coalface in identifying the priorities for attention, so it is the local authorities that made the application in respect of the new scheme for small settlements and villages. It is also the local authorities that have responsibility for identifying the priorities with regard to the resolution of legacy DPI issues and for specifically identifying the kind of instance the Deputy has highlighted, that is, instances where provision can be made for new development in the course of resolving DPI issues.