Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I have been working on where we go from here with rural development and where the opportunities exist. I am more than willing to debate it at any time in the House. It is important that we have a clear vision of what rural development is about, what type of urban and rural societies we want, and how we see those societies developing.

Approximately €6 million in approved Gaeltacht housing grants has not yet been paid and a number of applications have not been fully assessed for various reasons; sometimes an applicant does not provide required information. I am committed to it and all of the funding available this year will be used. I heard what Deputy Ring stated on the importance of the scheme.

With regard to the mná tí it is fair to state that there is unanimity in the House on the importance of Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge. It has had huge success in inculcating in young people a love of the language in a natural setting outside of the classroom. Last year, the numbers that attended were as high as ever and it is very important. In recent years I managed to substantially increase the grants to the mná tí. Furthermore, I require the colleges to pay €1.20 for every €1 grant paid by us to the bean an tí. Previously we increased the money and the college decreased the money. I stopped that for a number of years. I was reluctant to make any cut but given the circumstances of the time the 5% cut is reasonable.

The Government is looking to the future and today's Estimates contain an extra provision in the Department's Vote for Stráitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge. We see this as something new and positive that we must drive. We must await the approval of the Government and so on before spending that money but we are committed to the strategy.

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