Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Just to clarify for the Deputy, altogether we announced €50 million in funding. We said that €30 million had to be spent this year and €20 million next year. All the projects have been announced, but some projects are bigger and it is going to take them a bit longer. That is why we have allowed them a bit more time to spend. There is €50 million in funding. Regarding another fund, again that would be part of any budget negotiations that will take place in line with the national development plan ceilings. We will look at that, but I cannot give the Deputy a commitment on it. We have to see that the money that has been allocated is being spent. I know that it can be difficult sometimes. Through no fault of anybody's something will arise that may slow the spending down, but I do not want any of these local authorities sitting on their laurels and not spending the money. There is always pressure coming from other Departments that want the money spent. The smaller projects will be easily delivered, so they will probably come first. They are going to send their first invoices in by 6 October. My Department is engaging with the local authorities to make sure that the invoices come in quickly and we get the money spent. It is very hard to look for more money when you have not spent what you have got.

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