Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is not included in my reply, and I apologise for that. I will refer back to the Deputy with the figure later today. On housing policy in general, the Department is reviewing the policy and the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, is very conscious that new initiatives are required. We must also get the incremental purchase scheme up and running, apart from the direct provision we are giving local authorities to get a construction programme going.

On Deputy Breen's question, it was 2 December 2012 when allocations were notified to local authorities for 2013. We are not far from the same date this year and I expect we will be in a position to make allocations under the general purpose grants and all of the other funding arrangements in a short while. Under the service level agreements with local authorities Irish Water will also make financial provisions amounting to €528 million.

See this speech in context