Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)

I thank the Minister of State, but I am a bit confused now. First, I thank the Government for bringing in these two schemes. I also my local authority and all of the local authorities around the country for the great work they did in delivering those grants to the people involved who had applied. The Minister of State has just said that the local authorities are working through the misclassified applications at the moment but my local authority has said that it has not heard anything about the appeals process and was not made aware of it. I am a bit confused in that regard.

The Minister of State also stated that it is not a reopening, but many people did not know about first scheme and did not apply for it as a result. Obviously, they were then not entitled to apply for the second one or did not meet the criteria. I am concerned about that. Is there any way that those people can be accommodated? Some people feel aggrieved that they were not considered in the first place because they were in neither of the three categories that were outlined at the start. Many people are facing fierce financial pressure at the moment. I know the Government is also under tremendous pressure but these people are the backbone of rural communities. Sadly, some of them have departed the scene. Last year, many small companies could not carry on. I wonder whether the grant would have helped them. I am sure it would. Will the Minister of State consider reopening the scheme to accommodate those who have been left out?

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