Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Department does not necessarily survey the buildings but it works in conjunction with local authorities and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. If Mr. McCarthy does not know the answer, he should ask them and then revert to the committee. The presence of asbestos is sometimes used as an excuse for not using a building. I would like to know whether buildings are being used that actually have asbestos in them because that would be a contradiction.

Deputy John McGuinness raised in the Dáil the number of people who proposed various buildings over the last couple of years. They went through a five-stage process and spent a considerable amount of money but the buildings were not used. While it is not a question, I am concerned about what went on in that regard. Every case is individual but I flag that as a concern because people had expectations and spent a considerable amount of money. I hope the numbers involved were small.

I have a question for Mr. Delaney and Ms Rooney on the criteria used. Criteria are applied on both sides of the fence, as it were, regarding how the Department takes accommodation. I accept that some of those criteria predate them. Can the Department furnish those criteria to the committee? My question is a very simple and appropriate and perhaps I should have asked it earlier. I ask for the criteria that have been in place since the beginning of this Government's term and a chronological list setting the times those criteria have been changed. Obviously, we have the war and an increase in the numbers seeking international protection. Transparency is our friend and would help the Department.

I also seek the criteria used for modular developments, both the type of accommodation and the sites, and for a refurbishment programme. I presume this relates to unused accommodation in other areas. It would be useful for the committee to have information on all of the different criteria used.