Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcomed the initiative in July when the Minister enabled Clare local development companies and other companies to move funding, where there was a surplus of money in one stream, to other streams. That approach has allowed the Ennis scout hall to be developed, a project that was in jeopardy. The Minister's decision enabled Clare local development companies and others to do that and enabled that project to move ahead. We will have a 21st century building in the heart of Ennis to serve young people from the age of six up to 18. I thank the Minister for that. I ask the Minister to use her initiative again. There is a fund of €25 million in the food initiative. Is this going to be spent by the end of the year? I very much doubt it. The local development companies in Clare and throughout the State could avail of that, especially for shovel-ready projects.

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