Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

Work on the site in Finglas with the 166 affordable units, based on the terms of Sustaining Progress, has started and I look forward to seeing that progress. Shortly we will seek expressions of interest for the development of the sites at the Jamestown and Infirmary Roads in Dublin. It takes time to plan and deliver housing. I assure the House that we are fully committed to delivering on the initiative and will continue to work to maximise output from the various projects being progressed.

Very good work is being done to address the issue of homelessness. In 1999 we provided approximately €12 million to address this issue and this year we will provide €51 million. I believe Senator Bannon is from Longford where I opened a homeless unit for 21 people. Only one person stayed the night we were there, but that is beside the point.