James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

We will certainly keep engaging with the local authorities but we are not in a position where they are saying they will draw down all of their money and they are stuck. We have written to all local authorities to say if they are going to draw down all of their money for tenant in situ and there are a number left to close, they can do it. We will certainly engage with them and we can use certain funds. For example, if there were a couple of houses the council in Limerick felt it could close, we would certainly work with it to do that. My slightly bigger concern is that some local authorities will not draw down all of their money. It will go very close and I certainly hope they do. They should as there is no reason not to draw it all down.

I can give the Deputy another figure today. A number of different counties are under pressure. I think Limerick will be able to draw down all of its funding. Some are under pressure. I will give Carlow County Council as an example. It was given an allocation of €3.5 million and has drawn down nearly €3.1 million for five units. A large amount of the council's money is again going on refurbishment rather than purchase.

There are other pots for refurbishment and that is where that money should be coming from. Tenant in situ should just be for the purchase of the property, getting that purchase done and maximising the delivery of tenant in situ purchases. If there are issues with refurbishments, there are other methods and pots to take from. The local authorities should talk to the Department if there is a particular situation. I am sure that in some sale and tenant in situ situations, there will be particular problems that need to be addressed with refurbishment. It just should not come from the tenant in situ pot.