Under the scheme there are two categories of projects, one of which is shovel-ready projects. That means those concerned have their planning permissions in order, they have everything done and the projects are ready to go from the day they get funding approval. I hope the projects that are approved will be ready to go. There will be some draw down of funding for 2019. As I said in my reply, €55 million is allocated for next year in terms of draw down.

The second phase of the scheme relates to getting applications ready for the next round, which will open in March. It involves getting seed funding to help groups to get their applications together. The applications have to come through local authorities, State agencies, Údarás na Gaeltachta, the HSE, Fáilte Ireland or some other body along with the community groups. The question the Deputy asked is a fair one. Shovel-ready schemes are ones that will be approved and if they are said to be shovel-ready, I as Minister expect the evaluation team to examine the projects, that the ones that are said to be shovel-ready will be shovel-ready and that some of that funding will be drawn down next year.

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