Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I am somewhat disappointed by the reply of the Minister of State as I thought he would have been able to tell us what was happening to health projects such as the one in Portumna. Can the Minister of State confirm that housing will not be developed on these sites? The intended use is the most important issue. Plans existed for Tuam and also for Portumna, which involved South East Galway Integrated Rural Development Limited. Who advised the Department that a huge amount of land was available for affordable and social housing as envisaged under the plan? The Tánaiste and in particular the Taoiseach are being blamed for the leak of this information from Government. If it is a Government decision, so be it.

We need to be very clear about what will happen to these lands. I would like an assurance that in the case of Tuam the lands will be used for the health service campus and that the other projects we mentioned should proceed. If the land were given to the local authority there would be no money for the psychiatric services in Ballinasloe.