Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Chairman asked a question about the groups. I hope to have a forum with the local action group, LAG, companies in June or July. I will certainly have discussions with them about what the roadblocks are.

Deputy Ó Cuív was being fair when he agreed that we had made changes. The programmes are up and running. I want to spend the money. The Deputy is correct, in that I must be ready with schemes if there is going to be an underspend. I have learnt the lesson from last year and will not let that situation recur. This will go to June or July but not beyond that and I will then make decisions as regards a ramp-up in the Leader programme.

The Deputy is also correct about needing a minor miracle in respect of some programmes. As has been pointed out, I need to start examining forums and local action groups, LAGs, that are not working. These groups are up and running. Deputy Ó Cuív mentioned funding and administration. That money has been drawn down but I want to see real action under the Leader programme. A few programmes around the country are already seeking further funding. I will need to take some advice from my officials, but if I need to start moving money around - if I can, since this is European funding alongside some Irish Government funding - I must start considering rewarding those programmes that are performing and reviewing those that are not.

This also needs to happen within local authorities in terms of town and village schemes, as well as other schemes. The Deputy might have to ask further questions about the other schemes that we operate, but this is why I have spoken to local authorities and put it in writing to them. At least now they know. To be fair to them, we did not have schemes in the past few years, so they did not have the CLÁR programme, the rural recreation scheme or the town and village scheme. They did not have the staff or wherewithal to implement those programmes. They now know, however, that these programmes will be in continuation for a number of years and I have outlined the situation in writing to them. I have kept my word so far, in that the local improvement scheme, LIS, has been announced. The town and village scheme will be announced this week and the rural recreation scheme will be announced in the next few weeks. The CLÁR programme is open but will close this weekend. Now that local authorities know where they are, they can start planning in respect of these programmes.

The Deputy asked a fair question about the Leader programme and I have given an honest answer. I will monitor this situation up to July, at which point I will have to make decisions.