Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Unlike the Deputy, I did not cost people an additional €45 when they had to register their septic tanks. That is what happened to people in his constituency, the west of Ireland and elsewhere when the Deputy changed his mind very quickly. Like the Deputy, I am anxious to ensure we spend as much money as possible under these programmes. Some of the various axes under which funding is provided might be overspent. Some of the other measures might be underspent. We are carrying out a prudent assessment of where the funds are, in terms of the applications that have come in over recent months. Having served as a Minister, I am sure the Deputy will be careful to avoid criticising the prudent approach being taken by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The Department is anxious to ensure it reorients and readjusts its spend to cater for the big demand that exists in our communities. It will facilitate approvals as quickly as it can. There have been many large-scale approvals since Christmas. That is certainly welcome. We expect that many projects can be approved in every Leader company area in the next couple of months, with a view to having the fund drawn down by the end of the year.

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