Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Interestingly enough, when it was originally established by the LCDP, the then Government made specific arrangements for the National Collective of Community-based Women's Networks because it was recognised that the position of disadvantaged women would be diluted in a mix of this nature. I do not see why we are doing what the then Government tried to avoid. The North Leitrim Women's Centre and the National Collective of Community-based Women's Networks state they have explored the relevant avenue and that the networks, etc., are not all in a position to become part of local consortia in their areas. In other words, they do not have other organisations on to which they might hold and because they do not constitute a target group in their own right, they are lost. We risk losing them and their work. In such circumstances, I ask the Minister to reconsider the position.