Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Collins is correct in stating that yesterday I got approval from the Cabinet for the State to purchase Citywest for €148 million. The reason the Government approved that was because it was going to give effect to a saving of money from the point of view of the State. After four years, we will be making our money back in respect of it. We are spending far too much money renting private properties. As the Deputy knows, in the programme for Government, we have committed to buying or constructing State-owned accommodation where people will be able to live as opposed to us having to go out around communities, trying to rent places.

There will be extensive engagement with the local community. I will speak to the local TDs. Obviously, it is an issue where there will have to be a lot of community engagement in respect of it. I think people are prepared to do that and the local community will be satisfied with the response they get from me and the Government.

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