Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

While I agree that the time for effective evaluation will be at the end of the process, we must take into account the fact that those directly involved, including the county manager, to whom the Minister referred, expressed concern at the delay in announcing the initial tranche of funding. Some expressed the view that difficulties ensued in attracting the sort of philanthropic investment that was so important to the initiative. The Minister has pioneered philanthropic contributions in this area. Six months into the process it is prudent to examine the financial position and see how the initiative is progressing. Given that the Minister has said €1.17 million has been spent and €4.2 million remains to be spent, I take it that he can assure us that the budget of €6 million which will be money well spent if, as we all hope, the project is successful will not be exceeded.

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