Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No, I cannot give that guarantee. What I can guarantee is that I am putting pressure on the LEADER companies. As the Deputy knows, given we have LEADER programmes in our county, I can only do so much. With regard to administration costs, these people are getting paid to do the job. To be fair, there are LEADER companies doing very well under the scheme. When I look at this, I see that some have 18 or 21 projects, which is not acceptable. It is not acceptable to me or the Department, and is not good enough for the LEADER programme. We want the money and the money has been given by the Government. It would be a different ball game if the Deputy was coming here to complain to me that the money was not there. I spent last year, with my officials, trying to encourage LEADER companies and we made the changes they required. As I said, I cannot do any more. They now have to do their job. What I need to do, and will do, is look at every LEADER company in the country. When I start taking money off them, I know I will have plenty of Deputies complaining in this House because I am taking from one county and giving to another. Too bad. If they do not perform, I will take the money off them.

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