Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The constitutional review group recommended a wording in 1996, when the Deputy's party was in Government. This is so important we must get it right. A huge amount of work has been done by the all-party committee. I have stated publicly that the Government congratulates it on its work. A number of Departments under the auspices of the Minister of State are working on this matter. In the meantime, it is important to say that despite the economic difficulties and challenges facing us, we have provided the Minister of State, through his Department's budget, with an additional €15 million for the employment of approximately 200 additional social workers in 2010, recruitment of whom is underway.

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