Mr. John Coleman:

I thank the Senator for the question. The LDA, to achieve the maximum impact with the resources it has, has been focusing on the city areas to date. We have achieved quite a lot in a short space of time in that regard. We are now mandated to have a greater impact on larger urban settlements like Portlaoise and this has been decided by the Government, as will be seen in its press release today. We have been in discussions with the Government on that opportunity generally across the country. While it has not been a key focus to date, this being a function of capacity and trying to get the greatest impact from our resources, it will be a focus going forward.

On the specific property, there is a great opportunity in relation to the homes there. We are targeting the same cohort of the population that the Senator outlined, who cannot qualify for social housing but who are unable to afford private sector costs. Whatever we do will be targeted at the middle three deciles of household income. All I can say is that the cities have been the focus until now but we are broadening that focus and will have a close look at the site the Senator mentioned.