Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This question relates to A Programme for a Partnership Government and funding for the Ability programme. There was an announcement by the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, in conjunction with the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, last year inviting applications for this programme. Will the Taoiseach explain why there is such a regional imbalance in approving funding under this programme? Everywhere north of a line from Galway and Roscommon to Dublin has been excluded. No one can understand this. It was not that we were not here. Other Donegal Deputies and I were present when representatives from the Bluestacks Special Needs Foundation and other groups such as iCare met the Minister. However, yesterday we were chastised by the Taoiseach's Donegal Minister. He said we are wrong to say that Donegal is being snubbed and that this is a myth. Donegal is being snubbed. It is not a myth, it is a fact.

Will the Minister of State please-----

See this speech in context