Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The real issue here is the funding of the task force to allow it to fund its objectives. Is it possible for each agency and the Department to contribute to a central fund, which would be guaranteed in advance and would be available to the task force? This is the key issue.

The most pressing issue in the town at the moment is non-participation and exclusion. Whole communities in the town are living without any sense of hope or opportunity. The Tipperary town social inclusion plan is designed to offer these people a future through education and employment pathways, supports at household level for distressed families, and programmes aimed at assisting young people to remain engaged in education. Without this support, the wider efforts of the task force, in terms of economic development and other improvements to the town, are doomed to failure. We will have history repeating itself in Tipperary town. Is it possible that the Minister would liaise with the chairperson of the task force to discuss the funding situation and give it some funding in order that it can plan ahead, and not be living from month to month and year to year?

See this speech in context