Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome the additional funding for our public transport. Coming in from Meath in the mornings, I notice it is taking longer and longer to get in and the traffic is extending back towards the edge of the city, so anything that can improve public transport for people, or mean that they do not have to take their cars to work, will benefit everybody.

I am delighted that one of the main focuses for the Minister's Department is restoring our roads. We can never have enough money for roads. It is an issue that will always be at the forefront of many of our wish lists. We have a serious number of local and regional roads in north Meath, so every little bit helps. Last year our own county council would have made a special request to the Department for additional funding. We would have made a special case. Is this something the Minister's Department is looking at this year, or will it be split equally among the Departments based on the funding they are receiving at the moment?

Does the additional €1 million for equipment for sports groups and clubs extend to organisations that look after children with disabilities or special needs? For example, there is an organisation in the town of Kells called Special Hands, which works with children with intellectual and physical disabilities. At the moment they are seeking funding for equipment for the pool, to help children get in and out of the water. Does the funding stretch to that or is the Department just looking at football clubs and so on?