Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I return to the point about density of population. We are talking about what is essentially a small group in a relatively lowly populated area. Senator Susan O'Keeffe is absolutely correct in what she says. Will the Minister provide some assurance that this structure which has developed over many years will not disappear and that there will be some funding available for the group in question to continue the work it is doing? He referred to 31 lots based in local authority areas. Does this mean that money will be made available specifically for the activities of the current group in County Leitrim? I appreciate that the Minister only assumed responsibility for his portfolio in recent days. At the same time, however, we are concerned with a small county which is trying to retain services and also fighting against the flow, particularly in population numbers. I do not want to sound as if I am crying about this matter, but Senator Susan O'Keeffe and I are merely outlining the unfortunate reality of life in County Leitrim. Will the Minister give a commitment to protect the particular group we are discussing and provide it with some assurance that it can continue the good work it is doing?