Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

There may well be cuts to voluntary organisations, but, if so, they will be around administration, as there is in the voluntary sector generally. We have 600 voluntary organisations in the disability sector in Ireland. Last year, they had to take a 1% cut in their administrative budgets and this year there will be a second 1% cut in that administrative budget. Unless we do that, we will not have the money to provide services to patients, whether more professional staff in mental health or more therapists in disability, etc.

With regard to Deputy Joe Carey's question, I am well aware of the highlands and lowlands and everywhere else. I am also well aware of everybody who does not want any change in Ireland. They will search the world to find something that might give them some credibility.

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