Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to criticisms of his decision to withdraw funding from the Community Workers Co-operative following the closure of CWC at the beginning of April 2005; if he intends to restore funding to the Community Workers Co-operative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11399/05]

Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the details of the most recent meeting that occurred between his Department and the Community Workers Co-operative. [11429/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 27 and 37 together.

I dealt comprehensively with this issue in the House already. I refer the Deputies in particular to my replies to Questions Nos. 4 and 5 of 22 February and Nos. 360 and 367 on 22 March 2005.

Since the decision to discontinue funding under the national anti-poverty networks programme was communicated to the CWC on 17 December 2004, my Department has facilitated the CWC by holding a series of separate meetings with its representatives.

At the most recent meeting the CWC was afforded the opportunity to again raise questions about the decision to respond to the view that it does not represent any identifiable group or community experiencing disadvantage and to hear the responses of the Department and the Minister.

I am fully satisfied, therefore, that the CWC has been afforded exhaustive access to appeal the decision. I do not believe the group has demonstrated a basis for reversing my decision at any of these meetings.