I call Question No. 9.

Could the Minister confirm or deny a recent report in the Cork Evening Echo to the effect that social employment scheme funds have been exhausted and that no further recruitment of the long-term unemployed can be made in the Cork area?

As I have said, I do not have details.

This is peculiar to a particular region.

In May there were more people in the scheme than it was anticipated would be in it.

If the Evening Echo has it, it must be true.

That report stated that the fund was exhausted. Can the Minister deny or confirm that? It said no further employment could be given to the long-term unemployed in the Cork area. That report was published only last week in the Cork Evening Echo.

I do not have specific information about the Cork area, or any other area. I have the overall information to which the question relates. If the Deputy has a query in relation to the Cork area, I suggest that he puts down a question to the Minister for Labour, or speak to him on the issue. The information with which I have been supplied here is in reply to Deputy Birmingham's question which is in the broad context.

And the fund is not exhausted?

Yes.