MSY Controller reported the ASR-9 radar does not work between 0 and 15 miles from the radar antenna.

Narrative

Our ASR-9 radar located at MSY was reported to have a primary radar outage between 0 and 15 miles from the antenna. The radar itself; however; is still considered in service. And can't be fixed until we get more money. I don't feel like I need to explain further as your face; as the reader; should be in shock and confusion or at least turned to the side in confused contemplation. I will; however; go into further detail anyway.The problem with this outage; or lack thereof; is that with fusion; we need at least two points of working radar with the addition of ADS-B (I could be wrong there). The MSY ASR-9 cannot be used as one of those contacts within 15 miles as the primary radar does not work. If we lose one or two of the other radars; we cannot use fusion and will not have an operating radar scope. Also; our local orders state that if the ASR-9 is out of service; we cannot have automatic releases at NEW airport. NEW is technically within the 15 mile outage. We; however; still have automatic releases. Thankfully due to ADS-B; we haven't seen an impact on the outage; but that shouldn't be the reference point for whether we get funding to fix a MAJOR piece of equipment. But who am I kidding? We don't have our Cat III ILS either. This outage cannot stand. Let's either fix that radar or put it out of service. You cannot have it both ways.