Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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FLAG funding is included in the Revised Estimate for this year. The Cathaoirleach is interested in this matter, and I join him in his comments. FLAG is one of those schemes that probably does not get recognition for the really good work that it does. I pay tribute to the chairpersons of the various FLAGs around the coast who give of their time and do wonderful work in understanding the needs of their communities. It is an important source of funding and one I will endeavour to maintain in next year's budget. Obviously, I cannot give the quantum at this stage but it is an important source of funding, and I value that.

On the funding that the Department provides to local authorities to support the care and maintenance of small- and medium-sized harbours, the scheme has very much been based on shovel-ready projects to date. The funding is spent on care and maintenance in a lot of cases. The fund is not really for larger projects, as it provides a maximum of €280,000 for a shovel-ready project, so it does not get involved in larger projects. Some other supports may have to be identified elsewhere. At the moment, I do not propose to change things and have received no indications in that regard. I know the level of demand from projects that are already in place, so if I widened the net - pardon the pun - I would only bring more in and have less capacity. If I had more money, for sure-----