Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for his answer. However I am still not clear on the details; neither, it appears, is the Minister. I tabled this question because a large number of groups contact me on a daily basis and want to find out what the budget will be, what services will remain and what services will be going. The Minister of State made a statement on the day of the budget in his address on frontline services and said, "It is my objective to ensure funding goes directly to frontline services" and then went on to say his Department will not support new contracts to provide support services and community development projects.

I met a group of community outreach workers recently who were convincing in telling me their projects will have reduced numbers of outreach workers. They have been told they must cut back on their budgets and use their budget accordingly, and I can understand that as there are problems with money. This is a service that is very important for young people and communities. The Minister of State spoke previously on RAPID areas and there is a huge problem with services being cut.

Last Thursday I spoke to a project worker in my area who told me they sought another outreach worker and were told there was no chance in the world they would get one, either this year, next year or the year after. That is a failure of the Government to provide services that should be on the ground, particularly in communities that need them. It is fine for the Minister of State to stand up and say there is a 5% cut in current spending. I realise there have to be cuts across the board, but this is vital area in any community. Drugs are one of the most lethal weapons in today's society for young people, and in every parish, community and home the issue is spoken about on a daily basis. One only has to pick up a newspaper to see the coverage.

If there is to be a 5% cut it should be channelled in a certain area, and perhaps should be considered in the Minister of State's Department and not in the community where it would make a huge difference to many people.

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