or possibly under-funded

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Note added at 4 mins (2010-08-06 10:32:54 GMT)
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or ill-equipped!

Lacking necessary ability or skills.

I like this word! I think it captures the tone in this context.

Here's the entry from Merriam-Webster:
Main Entry:in£ept
Pronunciation:(*)i|nept, **n-
Function:adjective
Etymology:French inepte, from Latin ineptus, from in- 1in- + aptus apt * more at APT

1 archaic : not apt or fit — often used with to or for
2 : not apt for the occasion : likely to fail in its purpose : out of place : INAPPROPRIATE *an inept and highly artificial comparison— Donald Wayne* *the square is one of those anomalous, shabby-ornate, inept, and pitifully pretentious places— Thomas Wolfe*
3 : lacking sense or reason : FOOLISH, PREPOSTEROUS *it is inept, absurd, downright silly, to argue that in a world torn by T convulsions T literature can hide away in a hothouse— J.T.Farrell*
4 a : lacking in skill or aptitude for a particular role or task *an inept farmer T too easily distracted by contemplation— H.V.Gregory* *often a little inept, clumsy about the practical things of life— Rumer Godden* b : generally incompetent : INADEQUATE, BUNGLING *they found many English officers blundering T the brave but inept Braddock would have done well to take T Washington's advice— Allan Nevins & H.S.Commager*
5 Scots law : NULL, VOID
synonyms see AWKWARD

What I should have posted first time round.