Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Pat Casey.

To return to the issue of the LCDC and the Leader programme, as we would have known it, it is over three to four years since any money has come from the Department for any projects. When I was on Leader, there were 15 projects in respect of which we were awaiting the go-ahead. It never happened. When I went to the LCDC meetings recently, I asked whether any of those projects would be considered. I was told they would not but that the applicants could reapply. What is the timescale? When will money be fully released for projects? What is the update on that? In a few months, could the delegates come back to us on this?

When Senators, most of whom were councillors, dealt with the local authorities, they were at all the LCDC and Leader meetings. Now we need to be kept informed and to know exactly when funding is coming. In my area, Carlow, the local authority and LCDCs have projects that will be proceeding. Therefore, it is good to know when money will be released and the timescale. We are being told it will be in 2017. Does one apply for one's project in 2017? What is the timescale for payment?