I propose to take Questions Nos. 688 and 690 together.
The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme has proved to be very successful and the take-up of the Scheme in some local authority areas has been greater than was originally envisaged. As a result 10 local authorities, including Kildare County Council have sought increases to their allocations for loan approval. Further funds were allocated to 9 of those authorities (including Kildare), for this purpose last month. The application by the remaining authority is being examined currently by my Department.
Kildare County Council has also raised a number of issues concerning the administration of the scheme, and my Department is in discussions with that authority on these matters.
The final decision on all loans rest with each local authority's credit committee, and this decision must be made in accordance with the regulations and credit policy, having regard to the recommendations made by the Housing Agency's assessment of the loan application.