Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not disagree with what the Deputy is saying but funding for the community enhancement programme is allocated to each local authority area according to deprivation and population.

That is why we recently announced funding for the inner city of Dublin. It has different problems from those we have in rural Ireland. I do not deny that there is very serious deprivation and serious problems in urban areas. My Department has the social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP, and has allocated funding to special projects in and around cities because they have very serious problems in respect of crime, drugs and other issues. That is why the Department must examine and monitor the position and ensure we give the funding that is necessary. To give the Deputy an example, his question related to County Wexford where €1.26 million has been provided under the community services programme, CSP. My Department also allocated €5.3 million to Wexford to deal with all the issues the Deputy has raised.

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