Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Each year, the social inclusion fund provides moneys to areas of significant urban disadvantage. Several areas in my own city benefit from that funding: St. Mary’s Parish, South Hill, Moyross, Ballinacurra-Weston. They have recently been informed that as a result of a decision by the Department of Social Protection, their funding next year will be cut by 59%. The purpose of the fund is to promote social cohesion and prevent young people from those areas in particular from drifting into a life of crime. Looking at what happened in Dublin last week, I am sure the Taoiseach will agree that this is a very wrong-headed decision at this time. Will the Government reverse this decision? Will he suggest to the Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection that he meet representatives of those communities because he has so far refused to do so?

See this speech in context