Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

From my discussions with those involved in CE schemes in my constituencies and beyond, I have discovered extensive variations in the size of cuts. In some cases those cuts will lead to possible closures of the schemes. The Minister is very precise in saying the budgetary allocation towards that materials and training grant has increased from €9 million to €11 million in this year's budget spend. Obviously it compares unfavourably with the allocations for last year and previous years. Can the Minister say to me definitively - as definitively as she mentioned the increase in her initial allocation from €9 million to €11 million - the revised average cut taken by CE schemes? It has been a long and drawn out process. We all recognise and pay tribute to those involved in the schemes and the good work they do in their communities. We acknowledge that and it goes without saying. The process has taken a long time and been very labour intensive with intense negotiations and deliberations by the departmental officials in arriving at their conclusions. Based on that process, surely the Minister can indicate the percentage cut to these CE schemes.

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