Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

For the first round of the CLÁR programme, I will use the existing rules and schemes from last year. However, I will look at the extra funding. I am looking now at new schemes now that I know I have a budget for next year, the year after and the year after that. Now, I will be able to put these schemes in place.

Deputy Ó Cuív should give me a little time to sit down with other Ministers. There is one thing I do not want to see. Deputy Ó Cuív knows this because he was long enough there. He knows what I do not want to see. I have no wish to operate schemes for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport or the Department of Health. They will have to match funding for some of the schemes I will put in place. I do not want to supplement them. That is why I would love if I could get the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to put a further €10 million into the LIS. Then we would have a €20 million scheme. I have done my part. What I want to do now is ensure that I do not take on work from other Departments. Deputy Ó Cuív saw this happen before. If I did that, they would move back and not do anything. I need to sit down with them. I need a little time. I need to formulate schemes. I need matching funding for these schemes. These Departments will have to come up to the plate as well.

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