Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister of State on his appointment. I look forward to working with him.

I would suggest, if Deputy Flaherty does not mind, while he is looking for a windfall in Longford, to look at his neighbours first, in Sligo, Roscommon, Leitrim and so on.

I want to raise the issue that the Minister of State has raised before now, which is the need for staged payments for the Croí Cónaithe grants. I know the Minister of State supports this. As he has said himself, it is similar to the standard practice as it is now when people are building homes. I do not expect the Minister of State to deal with that immediately but I would like to know that he supports it.

There are two other issues. I think we may need more staff in local authorities to deal with the applications for Croí Cónaithe, so I am looking for support for local authorities. Is there any possibility, in exceptional circumstances, for an extension to the timeline for completion?

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