Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)

The Minister is aware the Comptroller and Auditor General is precluded by law from speaking on policy. The question I raise relates solely to policy. The use of the dormant accounts fund for initial funding of the rural social scheme was inappropriate. General funding from the Department's Estimate should have been used. I have asked if this money will be reimbursed and if the future funding mechanism will be channelled through the dormant accounts fund or through Department's general Estimate.

In debates on the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act, many of us expressed fears the Minister would be the chief allocator of funds. This is reinforced by the decision that the Minister is the chief decision maker on how money is allocated. On the whim of the Minister, or any subsequent Minister, money could be allocated to a pet project in one area.

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