John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I did not hear what he said. For the second consecutive year there is to be a cutback in the funding for Teagasc. This is significant at this time as agriculture is undergoing changes associated with the Fischler proposals. The reduced spending on Teagasc has caused general unease in the farming fraternity around the country. Following last year's €17 million reduction, one can only assume that more of the advisory offices around the country will be closed if Teagasc is to continue functioning. Contrary to the pious aspirations of Government Deputies and Senators when they speak in their constituencies about how such advisory centres should be kept open at all costs, it seems the Department of Finance has no intention of providing for it. I am anxious to hear the response of the Minister of State to this matter. The Estimates also revealed a halving of the disease eradication allocation. This is a significant development and I would like to hear an explanation as to why this was deemed necessary and where the money taken from the scheme is to be spent in the future.

There have been a number of reductions in the Vote of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. There has been a 4% decrease in funding for victim support and a 5% decrease in funding for bodies that are concerned with violence against women. This is an extraordinary reduction. There has been a 75% reduction in anti-racism awareness funding in the Estimates. While this has not been widely commented on, it is startling that it should come at this stage in the development of the State.

One of the great highlights the Government announced when it came to office was the appointment of the Minister, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, as the new Minister for rural communities in particular and community and Gaeltacht affairs in general. The Estimates contain a 30% reduction in capital funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta and a 25% reduction in Gaeltacht improvement schemes. This flies in the face of one of the Government's main policies. The Government emphasised the creation of a Department specifically responsible for these areas.