Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not want to give that commitment, I am afraid, but I will consider what the Deputy is saying. I came across a really worthy group last night in Tallaght that did not apply this year. I will not say who they are but they intend to apply next year. I do not necessarily see why they should be down the list. They were not quite ready to apply for various reasons. I am not sure whether they should be relegated. It is a dangerous game to give preference to those who have gone before, they should all be considered on their merit. There is a very strict weighting system, which involves disabilities, disadvantaged areas, matching funds and all those types of criteria. The same criteria will have to be used for everybody each year. A group having applied before does not make it a worthier cause, it makes it an earlier cause.

I will talk to the Deputy about it and I will think about it but I am not sure that it is a good enough reason. That is the value of having an annual scheme. They will get equal consideration next year.