We have had good news on housing in County Roscommon, with a planning proposal approved in Monksland in south Roscommon this morning. It will follow a number of housing developments that have happened in the area. Similarly in Ballinasloe I attended a meeting last Thursday night with regard to a number of housing developments, all of which are very welcome. We have a need for affordable housing in Roscommon and Galway for those people who cannot get on the council list and cannot get a mortgage very easily. There is also the infrastructure in the communities to be built around this housing. Residents who already live in the area are coming to me to say they are happy for more houses to be built, and they want them, but they also want the amenities, services, supports and supermarkets, in the case of Monksland, to follow. Will the Taoiseach please direct the local authorities once again, via the Minister for housing, that it is about communities, and services should go hand-in-hand with the housing developments, particularly in rural communities?

Yes, I will talk to the Minister in respect of this. I am glad Deputy Kerrane has welcomed the significant housing that is happening now in Roscommon in Monksland. She also mentioned Ballinasloe. Affordable housing is a key issue for people, particularly those above the social housing income thresholds. I will certainly engage with the Minister in respect of the issues the Deputy has raised. The optimal position is that we have community services going hand-in-hand with housing developments.