Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 414: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline on a county basis the number of payments due to community organisations and businesses, grant recipients not suppliers, by Meitheal Forbatha Na Gaeltachta Teo as part of the Leader programme and when these groups and businesses will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7570/12]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 415: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current status of the Leader programme in Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7571/12]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 455: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a community development related matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8171/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 414, 415 and 455 together.

Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (MFG), the group contracted by my Department to deliver Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) in Gaeltacht Areas, went into liquidation on 7 September 2011. The group is currently the subject of an ongoing 'winding up' process and in this context the final figures with regard to number of payments due are not yet fully clarified. My Department is aware of the level of funding committed at various different stages of project life cycles but a series of administrative and financial checks will have to be carried out before payment numbers and amounts can be finalised.

Significant progress is being made in dealing with the issue of determining an alternative delivery mechanism for RDP funding in Gaeltacht areas, all relevant RDP (LEADER) project files have been released by the liquidator and are now with officials in my Department. All project promoters will be contacted shortly.

While no final solution has been reached with regard to the delivery of Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) in Gaeltacht Areas a potential solution has been identified. My Department will begin a consultation process with the relevant stakeholders within the next few weeks to determine if this solution is workable. My intention is that any alternative delivery mechanism will be efficient and effective and applied at the earliest possible opportunity. I can assure the deputy that all relevant stakeholders will be informed as soon as an appropriate solution is finalised.