Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)

I thank Deputy Ferris and acknowledge the presence of the Minister of State.

The important role played by the community and voluntary sector in Ireland has been highlighted in a number of reports. The 2000 White Paper on the relationship between the State and the sector noted: "An active Community and Voluntary sector contributes to a democratic, pluralist society, provides opportunities for the development of decentralised...structures and fosters a climate in which the quality of life can be enhanced for all." The 2006 National Economic and Social Council strategy, entitled People, Productivity and Purpose, stressed the need for healthy community and voluntary organisations as an important requirement for overall economic and social development. Reflecting similar sentiments, the national partnership agreement Towards 2016 stated: "The Government recognises that community and voluntary activity forms the very core of a vibrant and inclusive society." The Centre for Non-profit Management in Trinity College estimates that there are almost 25,000 non-profit organisations in Ireland, although the definition of a non-profit organisation used by the CNM is broader than the community and voluntary sector as it includes all non-profit bodies.

The mantra of this Government is value for money, and rightly so. In this difficult economic time, every Member of the House has a responsibility to ensure that all decisions are made with this mantra in mind. Also, the Government has a duty to give due consideration to all requests for support from the voluntary sector. Only last week, as Deputy Ferris rightly pointed out, a request for support from the Build 4 Life cystic fibrosis group was turned down. This group has raised more than €2 million to fund the provision of an isolation unit in Cork University Hospital. The hospital management has said that the total cost will be €2.3 million, and ward 5B, which is currently lying idle, has been identified as the location of the unit.

It is a disgrace that the request for funding has been turned down. The irony is that if the request for €300,000 in funding had been granted, there would have been a net gain of €450,000 to the Exchequer in VAT and other taxes, there would have been a purpose-built unit in Cork University Hospital for the treatment of cystic fibrosis sufferers, and the taxpayer would most certainly have got value for money. I ask the Minister to revisit this request and to appreciate that it is a win-win situation in which the Government gets value for money and, more importantly, cystic fibrosis sufferers get a proper treatment facility.

Finally, I would like to point out-----

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