Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raised the reduction in this area in my opening contribution. An inequity arises now because certain towns and certain areas currently have a community programme in place, but this is not open to new applicants. Given the increase in the number of unemployed and those in receipt of medical cards and family income supplement, we are going to see an increase in the number of people eligible for this scheme. Does the Minister think it is time to review the scheme in order to put it on a sustainable footing?

I think the preschool year for children with disabilities is under this subhead as well. I disagree with Ms O'Mara's analysis, with all due respect. I think parents would rather see two years of preschool for a child with a disability. In some jurisdictions, the HSE used to supplement a second free preschool year. It is now divided between two years. Does the Minister see any potential for introducing a second preschool year for children with a disability? I asked a parliamentary question last week and was amazed at the reply that only 270 children have applied to split the subsidy over two years. I thought that was a remarkably low figure at national level. I would have equated that to one or two constituencies, and I wonder why there is such a low figure. Would the Minister be happy that such a figure is accurate?