Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Let me clarify this matter for Deputy Deenihan. I know he has a genuine interest in this area. The rural social scheme goes across to the new Department of Social Protection but responsibility for voluntary community and rural affairs remains in what is now Deputy Pat Carey's Department. The rural social scheme has gone with other community employment schemes and they will all be dealt with by one Department. At present they are spread among three Departments.

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