Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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It is easy to identify issues. Members are frustrated because we meet the affected organisations on a weekly basis and they have revealed gaps in whom the State funds. This has been going on over a protracted period of time and it is totally inefficient that there is a fund which cannot be allocated to the most vulnerable people in our society. Can Mr. McCarthy take responsibility for this? It is his job to ensure a review is carried out on a timely basis, that it is adequately staffed by his Department and that allocations are made in a timely manner. He also needs to hold to account the Departments responsible for spending it. The table we have looked at shows that some Departments seem to be incapable of spending the money, with some underspends as high as 80%. One would not want to give them a significant portion of money again. I do not see a plan here. Mr. McCarthy said he is identifying problems but how are we going to change the situation?