Trevor Sargent
Question:190 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will address the issue of underfunding of physical and sensory disabilities agencies as highlighted by the National Council for the Blind of Ireland which has identified total core deficits among all the agencies concerned as ?11 million; if he will increase the allocation of ?5.9 million allocated to deal with core deficits in view of the agreement in writing that underfunding will be finally sorted out in 2003; and if, in conjunction with this, he will address the chronic staff shortages among some of the member organisations. [16117/03]