Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It sounds as if the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will have a key role but the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Education and Skills will also have key, but separate roles. To go back to my earlier theme, I would like to see one, joined-up approach on behalf of the Irish Government. There must be one lead Department to co-ordinate efforts in this area and I hope it will be the Minister's Department.

As I understand it, up to €3 billion could be available for Ireland through the aforementioned funds. The Minister did not make any reference to expenditure in the health area, which was included under previous rounds of ESI funding. The Minister made reference to employment and education, which are fundamental aspects of this but I ask the Minister to confirm that expenditure in the Department of Health will be allowable this time.

Matching funding will have to be provided by the Irish Exchequer. In view of the cuts the Minister is making to the capital expenditure programme, can he confirm that all matching funds that might be required will be made available by the Government to ensure all available funding can be drawn down.

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