Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)

Local authorities move people around all the time, as individuals are placed on transfer lists and moved around. I understand a successful scheme operated in parts of Dublin some time ago. The Department can examine the scheme that was in place to ascertain whether there is potential in that regard. The same point applies to the specific instance cottages scheme mentioned by Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill. Again, the Department must consider the matter and establish what funding is available. However, I will take it back in the same spirit as the other suggestions made.

I agree with those Members, Senators Brian Ó Domhnaill and Aideen Hayden in particular, who have raised the issue of encouraging the banks to lend. My colleagues, the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, have regular discussions with the banks and are encouraging them in this regard. The Government must do everything it possibly can. If the banks are not doing this and there are other ways to fund mortgages, such ways must be considered. However, the banks must be incentivised. They have received a lot of public money and the Government must have some influence on the manner in which they spend it.

As for Senator Susan O'Keeffe's question on regeneration, that was a specific solution for Limerick. The Ballymun regeneration project was a different model, being even more at a distance from the local authority. However, that project is winding down and probably will come to a conclusion in 2014. Other areas of Dublin are in urgent need of regeneration and the Department hopes to move some of the money available into those areas. I do not know whether there is a model available for Sligo. While funding has been allocated, it probably has been allocated directly to the local authority. However, I can revert to the Senator in that respect. Up to now, we have been trying to learn from both the Ballymun and Limerick models to establish whether we can put in place the best possible systems to deliver the regeneration these communities need.