Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, I will be announcing the LIS shortly. Not alone will I be announcing the scheme, I will announce the funding as well. The CLÁR programme will open shortly. The rural and recreation scheme and the town and village scheme will open at the end of May. I intend to have projects in for July, probably, and I will make the allocation later in the year.

Deputy Ó Cuív knows and I know that since I came into the job, I have opened the CLÁR programme. I have not yet been in office for a year. I have all the other existing schemes, including the LIS. I can tell the Deputy one thing, namely, that I want to have these schemes open. I want to have the applications in and assessed by the Department. I want the schemes to be announced and I want local authorities, or other agencies that I am now considering, to deal with some of these schemes – I wish to put that on the record of the Dáil. I have some things in mind such that I do not have to give all the work to the local authorities. It is fine if they believe they can do the work. However, if they cannot, then I have to start looking at other ways and means. Deputy Ó Cuív can take it that these schemes will be open and announcements will be made. The funding is in place. I have opened the schemes and I am very pleased with them.

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