Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's update. The SCEP is wonderful. It has made a massive difference in a huge number of communities and lives and deserves the support of the whole of government. I call on the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide its support and adequate funding. Every cent that goes into the programme is money well spent and provides a massive return for communities and for the State in general. I look forward to reading the review. Something is learned from every programme and something new always comes to the attention of the Minister and officials. I reiterate the call on the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to give approval for the opening up of the programme to new applicants and to provide funding - if it is a question of funding - as the money is well needed. Let us get on with it.

See this speech in context