Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not expect all projects will be ready in terms of having their quotations and tenders done but the scheme refers to shovel-ready projects. If a project is shovel-ready I would expect in a very short period that it would be ready to go. The evaluation team will examine these schemes. We have more projects and I referenced in my reply the number of applications that have been received. We will not have funding for all the schemes, so we will have to make decisions. The evaluation team will examine the schemes that are ready to go and I presume it will check that they have their quotations in, planning approval and that they are ready to go. My understanding of any shovel-ready scheme - I have heard that term used since I came into this House - is one that is ready to go. I hope these projects are ready to go. I do not want to see it happen, and I am sure neither would the Deputy, that allocations are made in November or December and then to hear next July or August that those concerned do not have their tender or planning approval. If that happens, somebody will have to answer to me. As far as I am concerned, there are two categories in this scheme, one is shovel-ready projects and the other is for the projects to be made shovel-ready for the schemes that will be re-announced in March. I cannot put it any fairer than that.

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