Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

I thank the Deputy for his question and am delighted to see a fellow midlander across the floor. Some of the points he makes are worth exploring. However, the first concern is the public safety aspect in terms of building compliance and health and safety. There are some 400 estates requiring that attention, which is a huge number. Phase two involves collaboration and co-ordination, that is, getting local authorities, banks, owner-developers - where they are traceable, which is a major concern - and communities to work together to develop specific and workable plans for particular sites.

Local authorities were to have submitted their findings by 8 April. The findings are coming in thick and fast and we hope to have them all shortly. What is immediately clear is that the types of projects forwarded by local authorities to date relate to such issues as the capping of water pipes and manholes, connecting street lighting, and fencing off building sites containing partially built houses and drains. Finishing out some of the units to extract value from sites is something that will have to be pursued. Another possibility is finding alternative uses, such as converting them to community centres or health centres.

I will meet NAMA representatives next week and will explore all these issues with them. NAMA's remit is primarily commercial but, where possible, I will examine whether there can be a social dividend for the public, which has been extremely helpful in this regard.

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