Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply and his understanding of the importance of the scheme. I wish the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, all the best in her engagement with the Minister, Deputy Ryan, because that is what should happen. There needs to be a once-off block grant to each of the local authorities participating in the scheme. It is not every local authority in the country. It is only a certain number in rural areas. Even in County Clare, it is really north and west Clare from Ballyvaughan to Loop Head and Kilrush. The majority of the 166 schemes are in that general area. Particular pockets of the country are affected, but they are badly affected. It is only fair and right that there be a multi-, or at least dual, departmental approach between the Ministers, Deputies Ryan and Humphreys, to come up with once-off funding to clear the backlog to give these people, some of whom are getting old and some of whom have young children, some comfort in their daily lives.