Ms Deirdre McCarthy:

It certainly seems to be the case. The legal environment is the same today as it has been in the ten years since the current directive was put in place. The new directives allow for social inclusion programmes to be handled in a different way. They are also very clear in stating programmes under the value of €750,000 should not be put out to public tender. These programmes can be constructed in such a way as to keep them under the value of €750,000. I will take the fifth amendment on the Deputy's question as to why this is happening.