Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply and for indicating that he will respond to me directly on the funding situation relating to these organisations. The current funding situation is as I outlined. That is the problem. There are no plans or support for these organisations. These organisations offer community-led responses to situations in respect of which the Government has not been providing a response. It is interesting that the Taoiseach referred earlier to how great it is that we have a budget surplus. He must realise, however, that what I am referring to is the price of that. We have a surplus because the Government does not support local organisations that are providing much needed services that it is neither providing nor funding. I would far rather have a budget deficit of 0.5% and have these services provided than having people standing here crowing about the fact that we have a budget surplus. Unfortunately, a having such a surplus means that people are being put at risk. If the Taoiseach provides an update, I would like it to indicate that these organisations will be funded into the future.

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