Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

This year, although inflation is under 3%, there was an 18% increase in funding. I doubt any other budget heading got such an increase. The Estimates two weeks ago contained an 8% increase. That does not include the forthcoming budget and the Revised Estimates in January.

It was brought to my attention last year that, as the drugs situation evolves, additional funding would be needed to deal with some key emerging needs. We agreed to examine proposals for dealing with key, emerging issues and we ring-fenced approximately €1 million for that. Proposals are coming into the Department——

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