Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

This matter has been recommended to me. In the Deputy's words and the words of others we have a project that is deemed very successful. It has three staff members and caters for 14 or 16 recovering drug users. The funding proposal put forward is for an extra €151,000 for three more staff. If the project is so successful, I am at a loss as to why it needs to double its staff.

The proposal has been made and I have read the file on it carefully. I am still not fully happy and have many questions on it. I hope to visit the project and speak to those involved. Many people, including the Deputy and others, have recommended the project. However, if it is so successful, I wonder why it needs an extra €151,000 for three more staff. It seems a big change in resources to move from three to six. I will not reject the proposal without talking to the people involved.

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