Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will guarantee that funding for the Westmeath Volunteer Centre will not be cut following the budget in December; if he will pledge his full support for projects such as these, as it is vital that persons who find themselves out of work have an outlet such as the Westmeath Volunteer Centre. [49942/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department funds a network of twenty two Volunteer Centres nationally.

In the context of the current economic climate, my primary concern has been, and will continue to be, the protection of front line services delivering vital programmes and initiatives, especially those focused on the needs of the most socially deprived communities.

Ongoing funding for my Department’s programmes for 2013, and beyond, will be considered in the context of the annual Estimates process. Within the resources available, ensuring a continued positive impact across the Community and Voluntary sector will be a key part of my Department’s work in the coming years.