Tom Barry (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for her response. Does the Minister consider Pobal an extra layer of bureaucracy? While I have no problem with the services it provides, it is a private company providing the service, albeit a charity. Charities incur heavy wageroll costs. In 2008 Pobal's salary costs were €14.6 million, which amounts to €55,000 on average for each of the 266 employees. Does the Minister believe this is another quango, of which we have one for every 4,000 people? Should it be brought within the remit of the Departments? Grants and wages for the rural social scheme are being delayed because of four levels of administration.

See this speech in context