Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I will provide more information about community engagement as I was limited in my reply due to time constraints. In combination with the process within the Department of the Taoiseach, I am already drawing on my role in the Department of Rural and Community Development to use local networks that already exist and that will be very important to the integration and community engagement process.

I am in three Departments at the moment. I am not in the Department of Health. I am aware of the GP issue. Last year, as part of my role in the Department of Rural and Community Development, I visited Kerry and the community response forums where the issue of GP access was raised. In turn, I raised this with the Minister for Health ahead of the budgetary process last year.

My understanding is there were increased budgetary allocations in that regard.

The community recognition fund comprises €50 million, a substantial sum, to be spread over two years. We want to see substantial projects that will have a long-lasting impact, with €30 million allocated for this year and €20 million for next year.

See this speech in context