With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
I am informed that Muintir na Tíre consider that they are unable to continue the employment of six community development officers whose training was funded by a grant from the EEC Social Fund for a pilot project in community development. The grant from the EEC Social Fund payable through the Department of Labour was for this specific training project. I understand that Muintir na Tíre were made aware that there would be no further assistance available from the social fund after the four-year term of the pilot training project ended on 31 December 1977.
Muintir na Tíre must accordingly have entered into the relevant arrangements in full knowledge of the facts of the situation. There can be no question of an increase in the grant-in-aid from the Department of Education consequent on the cessation of the arrangement between Muintir na Tíre and the EEC.