Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I inherited a budget of €45 million for this year, although it was subsequently increased to €46 million. I will negotiate with the rest of the Government for further funding for next year. We must remember that the programme has only been running since 1 January. I would like to see further funding for it, but the problem lies with the existing budget. For new schemes to come on line, others must be dropped. That is the problem.

Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked about Pobal, which administers the programme's schemes, and I will give him an honest answer. It notifies me of schemes that will be dropped. I have ministerial authority to reject that decision, but the Deputy knows that the minute I do so, I will face more allegations like those made in the Chamber this morning about interfering in the process.

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