Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I welcome all the representatives today. For a long time, I have been involved in local community work, working with the local LEADER company in Longford, Longford Community Resources Limited. I have been involved in numerous applications and I know the tedious paperwork associated with it. It is that way for a reason - to ensure it is done right and there are no issues when it comes to the project being done and any money being claimed back. It has done a massive amount of work in my community over the last two programmes. We have one of the highest percentages of funding in the county and all that money has been well spent in every community in our county.

I do see what the witnesses have said. A number of the staff are now staff members in Longford County Council. They have worked hard in Longford Community Resources, trained up and worked with communities. Needless to say, Longford County Council can see the benefit of having staff members like that. They have moved on to get more benefits for themselves, security of employment and pension rights. I would be fully supportive of that entitlement being there for staff members of Longford Community Resources as well as other bodies across the country.

I have a question slightly away from Longford Community Resources but it is an issue where community organisations struggle with funding. The Western Development Commission is able to provide low-cost matching grant funding for projects, including LEADER projects. Should that be established across the country?