Mr. William Parnell:

Kerry received an extra €268,000 from the recent call, bringing its total allocation to €995,000. As the Minister indicated when he was before the select committee two weeks ago, he has been able to fund the LIS programme this year through savings that arose under the Leader programme. He further indicated that he has secured an allocation for LIS in its own right for 2018. The reallocation of funding from Leader in 2017 will not affect the overall draw-down of funding. There is an allocation of €250 million over the lifetime of the Leader programme, and that funding is part-supported by the EU. What we have is a case of re-profiling the expenditure. Indeed, the previous Leader programme continued beyond its initial projected period of 2007 to 2013. There is a process to allow for this type of re-profiling and it is consistent across a range of programmes.

One of several significant changes we have had in regard to the Leader programme is that it is no longer seen as a funder of last resort. Previously, one could only apply for funding under the scheme if the particular project one wished to advance was not being delivered elsewhere. We have changed that particular rule in recognition of the importance of Leader in its own right. Other improvements we have made, which we spoke about earlier, have brought additional benefits to the programme. My colleague, Mr. Mulherin, might wish to give further detail in this regard.

Some of the issues the Deputy raised are beyond the Department's remit. As the Chairman said, we have already dealt with broadband and mobile telephony issues.

On the Deputy's point about agricultural shows, we are aware that costs can be a problem. Our understanding is that some support is provided to assist event organisers through the Irish Shows Association, which is under the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I can clarify that for the Deputy, if he wishes.