Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy again for raising this issue. The rural roadshows were undoubtedly a great success. They brought together people who drew down funding from LEADER and various Government schemes. Community activists attended and explained how the schemes worked. We also sent the Helping Hands roadshow around the country. I think Deputy Calleary was at the event in Ballina that was attended by a couple of hundred people. I am trying, particularly with Helping Hands, to do something to which Deputy McLoughlin referred, namely, ensure that groups which do not receive funding get an opportunity to make applications for funding. I set up Helping Hands and got my officials out to assist communities in order to ensure that they are able to make applications. Sometimes professional groups or professionals within organisations are able to put applications together. Sometimes the groups I really want to receive funding are unable to draw it down. That is why we are out there giving them the help and support to do it. It is important that every corner of rural Ireland gets the opportunity to be able to make applications and draw down the funding.

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