November.

It is a fair point. We launched the scheme in July to get it up and running and test the interest in it. Without pushing it and doing a public information campaign there has already been a very good response. There will be a public information campaign around it and we will expand it to the cities. I am sorry; I neglected to answer that question. It will be in the month of November but I cannot give a precise date. We have to make sure the guidance is out there already. I will have housing summits with the local au…

I thank Deputy Ward for his question. The Deputy will be aware I brought in a new affordable housing fund last year to assist local authorities directly in bringing forward affordable homes such as in Kilcarbery. Approximately €125 million in funding has already been approved to support the development of nearly 1,800 homes for affordable purchase. Another five schemes that will deliver a further 270 homes are under assessment. I hope to dispose of them in the next couple of weeks. I have also approved funding of o…

It would have been delivered a lot sooner if the Deputy's party had not blocked, procrastinated in respect of and opposed this scheme at council level. The homes are being built there now-----

Eoin cannot help himself this morning. Try to behave yourself, Eoin.

Try to behave yourself, Eoin.

I am endeavouring to answer the Deputy's constituency colleague who has shown an interest in Kilcarbery Grange.

Does the Deputy want me to answer the question? There were a small number of outstanding elements. It was not down to any delays in the Department regarding one of the financial institutions. These matters have now been closed. Agreement was reached on 23 September. I am further advised that all three mortgage providers have approved mortgage applications for the purchasers involved. The issue that was there with one mortgage provider in particular has been resolved and the purchasers will be able to close the sale…

Is that a question?

Eoin, please. What is great to see is that we have 74 cost-rental units tenanted in there, with long-term secure rents for tenants. I have met many of them.

Ah come on; would you stop?

To answer Deputy Ward, the issue has been resolved. On the minimum price of the houses, I know he likes to pick the figure of €285,300, but I did state that it was €245,600. It depends on the ability to pay. They are real affordable homes that people will purchase. These are part of the 1,800 affordable purchase homes that I have approved already through local authorities right across the country. That does not even include the first home scheme. We have had well over 1,000 applications in respect of that scheme, a…

The continuing increase in the numbers accessing emergency accommodation is a serious concern for both me and the Government. We are doing everything in our power to tackle this problem, both by increasing housing supply, which will increase substantially this year, and investing in homelessness prevention. Yesterday, we allocated €215 million, which is a substantial increase on the previous year, in supports for those who are homeless. I have introduced further measures to increase supply, including the new voids …

I am meeting every director of housing in the country and the various chief executives on 13 October. I have reinforced the message about purchase with tenants in situ . The Sinn Féin alternative budget contains no specific provision for any increase in-----

No. For any increase in funding-----

The Deputy has been trying to talk over me all morning because he does not like the answers he is getting. He does not like the truth.

The reality of it is that the Sinn Féin alternative budget-----

-----makes no specific provision for homeless services or homeless emergency services.

It is fantasy stuff.

The Sinn Féin numbers just do not add up. None of them do.