Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)

I welcome the witnesses, especially Ms Lawler, formerly of Laois County Council. It is good to see her again. She was good to work with when she was in the housing department in Laois for a good few years.

My first question specifically concerns Longford, so Mr. Mahon might be best placed to answer. It is impressive that the vacancy rate has gone down from 7% to 2.4%. I read the papers Mr. Mahon supplied and noted the division of costs. The council now has a problem in its balance sheet to the tune of €8 million or €9 million arising from its providing approximately 80% of the costs. That is a balance sheet problem and it has to change.

I also note that the council is using in-house maintenance and repair crews. What saving has arisen from that? As Ms Lawler would know, Laois County Council now has in-house crews as well, and I am told it is seeing benefits in being quicker and cheaper and giving greater control. While contractors are sometimes needed for specialised work, in-house crews mean instructions can be given to repair a particular house and get it back into use within a week or two. How much cheaper is the in-house arrangement working out at for Longford County Council?