Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

There has been a cut of €2 million in funding for the national agencies and their number has been reduced by two. Services on the ground have been maintained. However, we are keeping the services to which, according to Deputy Durkan, everyone will be flocking. I accept more people will be going to these organisation and will be in need of more supports. Thankfully, they will be in place, fully staffed, open and fully funded. That is an achievement the Opposition does not acknowledge.

The back to school allowance has been kept and increased.

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