Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

A number of schemes came in right across the country. If we can get this scheme right, and I believe we can, this will evolve into a multi-annual programme. This is in addition to what we are investing already. The Deputy is 100% correct that our villages and towns across the country can play a major role in housing provision. That is why we have moved forward with the vacancy grants, for argument's sake, the Croí Cónaithe grants that Deputy Canney, Deputy Aindrias Moynihan, Deputy Crowe and others have mentioned. That has been really successful. If people have an opportunity to live in their villages and towns, they will. It is not a question of a lurch towards the cities. It should never be that. The provision of wastewater treatment services is really important. I have some final work to do on the submission. I have received recommendations, not all of which I am 100% happy with, to be frank, so there will be some changes to the recommendations that are there because this should not be done on just a value-for-money basis. If this is looked at simply in terms of euro and number of households, it may not look like there is a financial reason, but from the perspective of the environment, public health and future growth potential, that needs to feed into it. I cannot give the Deputy a date but it will be imminent.

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