John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister knows local authorities as well as I do. They will baulk at risk here and if they do not see a sufficient quantum of funding being provided through the AHF, they will not take the risk on it.

It is one or the other. If they get €150,000 for an apartment, it is fine and they will get it to work but they need €150,000 for housing units too. I have gone through the figures. With borrowing rates over 40 years, I do not see local authorities taking a risk if the cost is not covered.

Does the Minister have a comment on the gearing ratio issue the AHB sector is facing? Some AHBs are close to the maximum ratio.