We are out of time but we have two Deputies left, so I am going to take them together. I call Deputy Carey, to be followed by Deputy Ó Cathasaigh.

I raise the Croí Cónaithe housing scheme that was set up to tackle the blight of vacant and derelict homes. It was launched in July and was very welcome but its criteria are very restrictive. Properties must be in areas with a population of 400 people. I ask that the criteria be re-examined and that rural areas outside towns and villages be included in the scheme.

It is a full 129 years since the Industrial and Provident Societies Bill was enacted and it remains the main legislation governing co-operative societies in Ireland. We have a proud history of co-operatives in Ireland. They play an integral role in the form of housing co-operatives, food producer co-operatives, group water schemes or locally-owned co-operative shops. On the energy side, community-owned renewable energy co-operatives helped insulate from the fluctuations in energy prices internationally and provide a cheap, clean and secure energy supply for communities. However, co-operatives have been hindered by being based on a literally Victorian-era legislative framework. We in the Green Party are delighted to see progress on the co-operative societies Bill and we have engaged with the Department at several stages on it. Will the Tánaiste provide an update on the timeline for when he expects the general scheme of that Bill to be published?

Deputy Carey asked about Croí Cónaithe, which as we know is a grant of between €30,000 and €50,000 to repair and bring back into use a building for residential purposes in small towns and villages. The Deputy proposes extending it to rural areas. I like that idea and think it makes a lot of sense but we need to take a little time to see what the take-up is like on the existing scheme. We do not know yet whether the €30,000 to €50,000 is going to be enough to move the dial or what the take-up is going to be. However, in principle, if it works and if we get take-up in the towns and villages, why would we not extend to rural areas too? That makes sense to me but let us see what the take-up is first before we start changing the scheme. I do not think that will take too long; we will know in a matter of months.

In answer to Deputy Ó Cathasaigh's question, I signed off on a memo in relation to that Bill only in the last couple of weeks. We expect to have heads of new legislation early next year. That will be the general scheme and will go to committee for scrutiny. We agree we need to update our legislation in that area to bring it more in line with company law and the protections that come with that.

I thank the Tánaiste and everyone else. That concludes Questions on Policy or Legislation.