Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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There is no way we can leave Deputy Higgins out.

Deputy Flaherty and the Chairman mentioned county architects. There is a commitment in that regard in Housing for All. Not all our counties have county architects. They have been extremely valuable, particularly in making sure that the character of particular areas is maintained. In Cork, Clonakilty and such places they have been really successful. That is an action point and we will do it. We will continue to roll out additional technical posts. These are good jobs in which people can see they have really good opportunities to build real and lasting careers in our local government sector. That is what I want. I want our graduates coming into local government, I want apprenticeships in local government and I want people back out building, using their trades and so on. We are working on the county architects element and will work on it further.

As for fire stations, Deputy Flaherty has mentioned Ballymahon to me before. We are looking at it as part of the review. Just so members know, we have a five-year capital plan worth €61 million for fire services. It is a very significant plan. I have kept fire services directly under my remit. I have immense regard for the women and men of our fire services all across the country. I have had the pleasure of visiting many of the fire stations across the country. We have seen great improvements to their facilities and equipment. That capital plan is really significant and we will drive it on. There will be a review of it early in the new year, so any Deputies who have matters they wish to raise, as Deputy Flaherty has done with Ballymahon, may do so and we will revert to them on those matters.

The Fresh Start principle permeates all the affordable housing mechanisms and schemes we have in place. It is really important to people who may have gone through a marriage break-up, personal insolvency, etc. Fresh Start will apply also to the revised Rebuilding Ireland home loan, which is the local authority affordable home loan. We have already reduced the rating on it. We are making some further changes to it. I have issued letters and circulars on affordable housing to all local authorities. All directors of housing services and chief executives have also had full briefings on affordable housing with my housing team. We are helping them and working together to do this.

I wish to leave time for Deputy Higgins to come in.