Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his comments. It is encouraging to consider the really wonderful progress being made by Longford County Council. That progress is mirrored right across the country. There is no doubt that local authorities are showing ambition, led by the Government and underpinned by record funding, to deliver housing of all tenure types. In particular, the Government is conscious that delivering in rural communities is equally as important as delivering in the large urban centres. To that end, the funding provided to Uisce Éireann to put in place wastewater infrastructure is critical. The efforts are showing dividends. Rural housing is critically important in sustaining rural communities in County Longford and elsewhere. The schemes in place to bring vacant dwellings back into use are delivering really significant housing output. They are delivering for communities. As I said previously, we will be reviewing the housing targets, underpinned by research from the ESRI, later this year.

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