Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

My question is about highlighting the role of voluntary organisations and the work they do. I was delighted to see one of the people I had given an award to when I was Lord Mayor of Cork, Bob Seward, was the recipient of €30,000 from the millionaire last night.

The programme showed how people can make a contribution. It also highlighted the importance of continuing to give such support and of being positive with regard to the voluntary organisations which are providing superb back-up services in the community. I ask the Leader to convey the following message to the Government and thereby to Departments and local authorities. When they are dealing with budgetary issues for 2012 they should not cut back on funding to voluntary organisations. We get extremely good value for money from these organisations and an extremely good service is provided by them. They should get every possible support at national and local authority level.