Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I welcome the allocation of €2 million in the current year for regeneration in Sligo. It has been brought to my attention that a commitment was given by a former Minister of State regarding house repairs within the catchment area. I request that the current Minister of State place a portion of this €2 million, perhaps in the region of €200,000, in an allocation for house repairs within that catchment area. The building programme will commence in Sligo within the regeneration area.

I am concerned because many builders in my area are quoting but are not in a position to get any of these contracts. These builders are being undercut by builders from elsewhere. In areas around the Border in particular, such as my constituency of Sligo and north Leitrim, it is vital for us to give priority to people living in the area. They have given service and worked extremely hard over the years in the building trade.

The Minister of State should consider the allocation for house repairs. A commitment was given by a former Minister of State and Deputy, Mr. Finneran, to those in Sligo in the past. We should consider giving builders from the region the opportunity to carry out this work.

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