Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I wish to refer to two pieces of promised legislation. The first, No. 76, is the low income families (reform) Bill. Officials in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have told families around the country that disadvantaged area payments cannot be made because the funding is not available. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, made a statement to the House last night that €3 million would be made available this week for the outstanding payments.

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