Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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On the spend so far, it was something I faced when in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, namely, much of the capital spend to get projects ready in Departments is drawn down in the second half of the year rather than the first. To give an indication of the sense of urgency to get things done this year versus where we were last year, at this point in 2016, taking Exchequer funding and local authority’s self-funding from the local property tax receipts, in housing capital expenditure, we have spent two and half times compared to last year. This time last year we had spent €45 million of the proposed spend. So far this year, we have spent €117 million. We will be trying to ensure we spend all of it by the end of the year.

Last year, the underspend on housing came to €28 million. We actually managed to carry forward €29 million into the next year. That money was not lost but was added to this year's figures.