497 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the local authority which has purchased 56 houses at Glencar Scotch, Letterkenny, County Donegal which were previously in private ownership; and if this meets with his Department's approval. [9344/02]

The purchase of this housing development as a turnkey project has been approved by my Department. It was originally envisaged that Donegal County Council should be responsible for the purchase and management of this development. Following discussions it has now however been agreed that this development should be managed by Letterkenny Town Council with the pre-acquisition process continuing to be dealt with by the County Council.

Donegal County Council itself is acquiring three separate adjacent turnkey developments totalling 160 houses. At my Department's request, the council intends to provide 20 units for sale under the affordable housing scheme and to let the remainder as rental units to households on the waiting list. The highest level of social housing need in Donegal exists in the Letterkenny area.