Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I take Deputy Walsh's point on the inequality in the funding allocations. I suppose much of that is for historical reasons. Very often where groups are very good at fundraising, they lose out because other facilities in other areas may be fully funded. I take that point. Increasingly, on a policy basis, we are trying to move to a standardised unit cost for funding services. I think that is the correct way to proceed. It is difficult to do that in the context of the very severe financial constraints we are operating under. I have taken note of the Deputy's request for a review of the manner in which funding is allocated across the region and I will take up this point with the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly.

I thank the Deputy for raising the matter.

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