Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not disagree with anything the Deputy stated. We are speaking the same language. I want to learn from the programme in the north east inner city and see if there are measures we can bring to other areas, including towns and cities, that need support. The Deputy asked about the community enhancement programme. I will look at it again because I want that funding to go where it ought. That is what the programme is about.

A programme that the Deputy did not mention, but which I know he likes and which I think is a great scheme that does not get the credibility and support it deserves is SICAP. There is a lot of flexibility in it. Deputy Calleary earlier referred to making schemes difficult to access. Since I became Minister, I have tried to make schemes easier to access. Deputy Curran and I disagree in regard to the funding of men's sheds, women's sheds, the community enhancement programme and the relationship to the RAPID programme. I established the community enhancement programme to make it easier to target the groups that need it most. If, following the review, the Deputy and I are unhappy with the reforms that have been made, I will consider the matter further.

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