Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the proposals it is intended to make to services provided for or funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2597/09]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 32: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if it is intended to make revisions or amendments to his Department's Estimate for 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2596/09]

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the proposals it is intended to make to funding provided by his Department to outside organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2598/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 32 and 34 together.

My Department's estimate for gross expenditure for 2009 is €523.085m. This figure was agreed as part of the estimates process and was published in the Budget Estimates Volume in October 2008. As the Deputy is aware, in the current economic circumstances we are faced with difficult decisions. The Government is currently considering a number of measures to maintain a prudent fiscal outturn for 2009 and to provide the basis for a sustainable approach to the current financial situation. Accordingly, it is not possible to say at this stage what the final outcome of Government discussions in this regard will be. The Minister for Finance will publish the Revised Estimates Volume in due course.

I can assure the Deputy, as previously indicated to the House, that my primary concern is to continue to make every effort to ensure that the front-line services provided by, or supported through, my Department — especially those focused on the needs of the most disadvantaged communities — are protected.