Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I cannot do everything for the Deputy.

It is fair to state that the rural social scheme has been a resounding success. The only complaints I have received are to the effect that there are not enough places on the scheme. The programme for Government contains a promise in this regard. There were many who were sceptical when the scheme commenced. However, people in every parish are availing of the rural social scheme, which relates to the provision of community services, income adequacy and social interaction. The scheme has been extremely successful and there is a commitment in the Estimates to continue with it.

On its introduction, the CLÁR programme was also derided as being of no great merit. However, it has disbursed money in all directions. Under the group water schemes, a total of 3,500 households, home to approximately 10,000 people, now have water, or will have it in the near future. It would not have been possible for this water to be provided at a reasonable price were it not for the CLÁR programme. In the region of 1,000 projects relating to LIS roads have been approved and we are in the process of approving another tranche of these. The programme will continue into the future. I have asked local authorities to prioritise what they perceive to be the major issues. Many communities throughout the country have benefited from the programme.

Spending on the islands stands at an all-time high. Mayo has benefited greatly in recent years from funding provided in this regard. New piers were built on Clare Island and Inishturk. Between island and Gaeltacht funding, my Department and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government are providing a swing-bridge to Achill Island. There are regular ferry services to Inishbiggle — a matter that caused people much grief for a long period — and new piers have been built there in order that better services might be provided. Again, we are involved in the biggest ever islands programme. Having dealt with Cork in its early years, Donegal and Mayo, we have eventually moved into Galway where there are major works ongoing.

See this speech in context