407 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will ensure in future that the broad range of housing statistics compiled by his Department will include the number of houses for which development consent has been given by local authorities outside of areas zoned for development; the number of these which have been completed; the number of permissions which remain outstanding. [38485/08]

While my Department compiles a broad range of housing statistics for publication in its Housing Bulletins, specific data are not available on the number of planning permissions or completions for houses outside of areas zoned for development.

As part of my Department's ongoing commitment to enhancing the relevance and quality of its housing statistics, the data collected are reviewed on a regular basis. The question of collecting data on the specific matters raised will be considered in that context.