James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for his questions. In relation to older people, a lot of these issues relate simply to timing issues. The subhead under older people provides capital and current funding for the implementation of pilot projects, including staffing supports, for example, for the housing of people with disabilities and older people. The provision of €1.3 million was intended to support the Ava pilot project to reconfigure 20 homes in two separate dwellings each. However, the pilot did not progress as planned in 2025 due to delivery challenges, including alignment with required energy upgrades. I assure the Deputies that funding will be drawn down and used for its intended purpose. It is in the main a timing issue.

The URDF has been a very successful project in terms of calls 1, 2 and 3, and there will be further calls in relation to it and assuring that the maximum is drawn down. Again, it is simply that what we have are timing issues in terms of drawdown. It is not a question of the funding not being allocated, if you like, but this funds a large number of projects right across the country through our local authorities. Some projects will move faster, and some will move slower. It is simply a timing issue in terms of that funding being drawn down but, again, that funding is allocated and will be used.