Anthony Lawlor (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I, too, congratulate the Tidy Towns committees throughout the country on the tremendous work each and every one of us sees week in, week out, which starts at the beginning of the year, to prepare their villages and towns for the task ahead.

I, too, ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, to come before the House to report positive progress on Rebuilding Ireland. When one looks at the scheme, he instigated an inter-agency group on homelessness. There has been a 40% increase in new home completions. The number of planning permissions is up by 39%, while the number of commencement notices is up 17%. The overall figure for new builds is up by 40%. The Minister is also responsible for developing the Land Development Agency.