Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the delivery of Leader in the aforementioned east Galway, and I thank the Minister for her concern, as she is aware, issues have arisen with the establishment of an entity chosen to deliver Leader in east Galway. A very significant number of communities have been actively engaging with Galway Rural Development Company over the past four to five years.

They engaged for three reasons - first, in the hope it would be the chosen entity to deliver Leader in east Galway; second, that the funds would be made available; and third, that the allocation of funds would begin as quickly as possible.

The process has been problematic. The people of east Galway feel somewhat aggrieved that a significant amount of Leader funding has already been allocated to other parts of the country. A process of engagement is under way between Galway Rural Development and Comhar na nOileán. They are actively engaging with the Minister's officials. The parties concerned have come up with a solution that I believe will work. The plan may need minimal financial assistance by the Department to make it work. I would be grateful to the Minister if she can confirm whether her Department has engaged with the parties? How does envisage the process of collaboration between Comhar na nOileán and Galway Rural Development might happen?