Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

The Minister is from Kerry and he can sidestep better than many people. In that reply he gave me the best sidestep I ever saw a Kerryman give anyone because he did not answer the question. Not one word was with regard to the question. I asked what has been done where funding has been withdrawn from particular community development programme areas. I am afraid there was nothing in the answer on that.

Groups did not get funding, for whatever reason. There is a need to look at these areas to see what can be done. I trust the Minister to see whether something can be done. Perhaps they can be covered by the new programme. However, just because they did not qualify for funding they should not be ignored. Good work was done in those areas. Will the Minister look at the files and see whether something can be done and perhaps at a later stage we can ask about it again? I am concerned about a shortfall and I want to know there will not be one with regard to existing facilities. Everyone involved in those community development programmes sought to do good.

While I am on my feet I will ask the Minister whether there is agreement on the new proposal. Where does it stand? How many groups have signed up to it? Has an overall national plan been agreed? Proposals were made with regard to specific groups seeking to sign up to a national plan but others did not agree with that. Will the Minister provide the House with an overview on where we stand now?

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