Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I am very disappointed that the line Minister cannot find €83,500, which is less than any single Deputy in this Dáil receives, and which could be used to benefit many young people in 119 primary schools and 18 secondary schools. When one considers the money that is required, I note the organisation is putting up 51% of the funding itself and the areas covered by it, namely, County Kerry, north Cork and west Limerick, have not yet enjoyed any sign of recovery. It is an insult to the commitment and dedication of Kerry Life Skills that the Government cannot find €83,500, especially given the acknowledgement by the Minister of State, other public representatives and me of the work it does as well as the acknowledgement by the Minister herself for the work it does.

Will the Minister of State, as a member of the Government, revert to the Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, and ask her to reconsider her refusal? It is the least these people deserve for the work they are putting in, most of which is voluntary, as well as the service they provide to young people from the age of four up to 19, particularly in the type of environment in which we find ourselves at present. I again thank the Minister of State personally for his reply and acknowledge that he is as committed as I am or as is Deputy Healy-Rae. However, he probably will have a lot more influence with his party colleagues and certainly with the Government than we would.

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