Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

The last part of the Minister's response is interesting because the main question being asked nationwide through all the agencies funded by his Department is whether the Department will survive budget day. I note The Irish Times published an advertisement in recent weeks in respect of the appointment of a Secretary General for this Department. Was clearance received from the Minister for Finance for this appointment? If so, can Members take it that the McCarthy recommendation that the Department for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht affairs be dissolved will not take place and that the Government has overruled and cast aside this recommendation? In itself, this will determine many people's Christmases, because it will ensure that their employment will not be affected. A previous reply from the Minister on the community services programme stated it employed 2,700 people, each one of whom is worried as to where matters stand, how he or she will be affected by the cuts and whether the Department will be dissolved. Given the evidence of the aforementioned advertisement, is it Government policy that this aspect of the McCarthy report will not be implemented? Will those who are employed through the various agencies funded by the Department find out that their jobs are safe and that they can look forward to progressing the many wonderful projects they are implementing at the behest of the Government and the House?

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