Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. He is focusing on the fact that only two schemes are being carried out each year. The big issue is that they are aimed at plants that would be taken in charge. These developments are never intended to be taken in charge. They are to be stand-alone plants. A management company is often supposed to have been put in place although it might never have got off the ground. The fact that the plants would not be taken in charge is one of the reasons the residents are not able to access the existing grant scheme. The scheme needs to be modified. We are really only talking about small money. Less than €2 million a year is spent on the current scheme and often the maximum allocation is not spent. The scheme is due for renewal over the next year so it is an opportune time to consider modifying it. We have people who recognise that there is a problem and want to take action and do the right thing but cannot afford to.

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