David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am sure there are the same difficulties throughout the country. Nevertheless, the 220 community and voluntary organisations that make up the Waterford City Community Forum are struggling to keep their own funding. The Minister's response, read by the Minister of State, refers to scarce resources. We all accept that. All organisations are fighting tooth and nail to hold on to their resources. This, however, strengthens the case for an over-arching umbrella group that is properly funded and can ensure maximum sharing of information in order that each organisation does a smaller proportion of the total work. Even this support structure is being undermined. Given that funding went from ¤24,000 to ¤11,000, the only employee the forum has is now working part-time and that, obviously, has an impact.

Will the Minister of State relay to the Minister the importance of providing support for the community and voluntary sector which is struggling? Community and voluntary organisations need a proper support base.