One of the most frustrating elements of this Government is its inability to deliver capital projects. We are in the middle of a housing crisis at the moment, with hundreds of thousands of people in housing distress. We also have 130,000 empty homes in this State. The Government created a refurbishment grant scheme in July 2022 and since then just 70 people have drawn down a grant under that scheme. An average of about four homes are being refurbished every month, which means it will take 3,500 years at the current rate for the Government to finish refurbishing all of the empty homes in the country. This is an incredible issue for people. Will the Government raise its ambitions in relation to the refurbishment of homes to a level higher than four per month?

First, the Deputy needs to check those figures because my understanding is that in Cork county alone, hundreds have applied-----

Applied-----

There is a difference between money being paid out and approvals for the scheme.

There were 22 this year.

Please, Deputy.

The Government has made the scheme clear and viable. People who are refurbishing a home that is vacant will get €50,000 in grant aid support and if it is a derelict property, they will get €70,000 from the State. I know, because I am familiar with the Cork cases, that there are hundreds of applications for those schemes-----

There were 22.

-----in Cork county. Deputy Tóibín should check his figures.

Applications are different from grants.

Please, Deputy Tóibín.

No, approvals.