Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response, which was very informative. I welcome the announcement of a second round of funding to service sites for affordable housing. That will give the opportunity for sites in Carrigaline, Kinsale and Clonakilty to be brought back into the system. That is what I wanted to hear this morning. I am glad the scheme will be reopened and other sites will be considered. Kinsale is a very important site, as are the sites at Clonakilty and Carrigaline, in the context of the growing population around Cork city. I welcome the Minister of State's assurance that there will be a second round of funding and I ask him to work closely with officials from the local authority to ensure that the sites to which I refer can be included. If they are included, that will be the last string in the bow in terms of affordable housing projects that we need to get off the ground in Cork. If these sites can be brought to market, the knock on effect will be very positive. Those people whose joint income is less than €70,000 will be able to access affordable housing. The desire to own a home is very strong in Ireland. People really want to own their homes.

I ask the Minister to clarify when he is proposing to reopen the scheme to applications. What amount of funding will be provided?