Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for outlining the provisions of the Bill. We do not intend to contest it. Many community and voluntary groups have benefited significantly through the disbursement of relatively small amounts of moneys from the Dormant Accounts Fund. We are all aware of various projects in our areas which have benefited in this way, such as community alert schemes, schemes to assist elderly people within the community and so on. People throughout the State have benefited directly from the moneys available under the fund. It is sometimes the case that the smaller the grant the more appreciative the recipient. People value such assistance in the times in which we live.

The original Act was introduced in 2001 and has handled significant sums of money. The Minister indicated that more than €600 million has been transferred to it to date. He also mentioned that €82 million is uncommitted and unspent to date. Does that sum represent the starting point when power is transferred to the Minister in terms of accepting applications?

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