Seanad debates
Tuesday, 25 March 2003
Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed).
A major summer camp was developed in my constituency with the resources made available through the scheme. The full benefit of the subvention was channelled back to the children and families in reduced costs for the camp. This meant that people of little means could send their children to the camp. Children of the Traveller community were accommodated as well as those with intellectual disabilities. This is just one of many schemes and services throughout the country which will be hard hit this year. Funding is now more difficult and the benefits will not reach so far this year, which is regrettable. I ask the Minister, notwithstanding the fact that she has informed the participating sponsors from last year of the discontinuation of the scheme, to reconsider the matter in a sympathetic way. The cost could not have been that great, yet the benefits for the students, sponsors and the community at large were great.
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