Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)

To what extent does the Department keep statistics regarding the geographical distribution of the funding? This will be of great interest to many Members who wish to ensure the funding is spread proportionately nationwide in a fair and even manner. Moreover, to what extent have decisions on funding been made already with regard to 2007? How much of the funding in question is likely to be paid out before 30 June 2007? Anticipating such decisions would also be useful to Members.

I suggest that what the Minister of State described as an open and accountable system was argued against in this Chamber by Opposition Members, who would continue to so do. I accept the administration of the scheme in respect of informing Members of advertisements for funding allocations and the natures of the subsequent decisions made. However, my experience has been that, as individuals, Members have few powers of persuasion regarding how eventual allocation decisions are made or whether the Government is reconsidering how decisions are made in respect of allocations from the dormant accounts fund.

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