Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is a way of throwing caution to the wind without being irresponsible. The Minister of State knows that there is €200 million lying there, which is no good for anybody. It could be spent to undertake important work, if only the Minister of State would not allow himself to be ruled by an overcautious approach in the belief that doing nothing is safer than doing something. Is he willing to come before the Joint Committee on Rural and Community Development to discuss the matter in detail and, in particular, explain to us how a reserve of €200 million in uncommitted funds has been allowed to collect, despite the massive problems the country faces? It would not be difficult to spend the money in a targeted, safe and good way. I mentioned throwing caution to the wind, but somebody was overcautious when he or she collected €200 million that was supposed to earmarked for the most disadvantaged in the State, including people with disabilities. However, it has been left to lie there, mouldering.

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