Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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4. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made to date with the roll-out of the Leader programme and the social inclusion and community activation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15837/15]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to ask the Minister of State, Deputy Ann Phelan, when the social inclusion and community activation programme will be fully operational. What impact will the legal challenge to the way that programme was rolled out have on the progress of the programme? Can the Minister of State also say when she expects the full set of Leader companies to be chosen and operational? When does she expect them to be in a position to roll out the first grants under the new Leader programme?

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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The Leader element of the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 will provide €250 million in financial resources to support the development of sustainable rural communities.

As the Deputy will be aware, under the EU regulatory framework governing the Leader element of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, each EU member state must conduct an open and transparent process to select both the local development strategies and local action groups for each sub-regional area.

Accordingly, my Department is conducting a two stage process. The first stage, which is an expressions of interest, EOI, stage, was recently launched. Any entity wishing to be considered as a local action group for their area has until 15 May 2015 to submit an EOI.

Local action groups and local development strategies will be selected by an independent selection committee established specifically for that purpose. Entities that are successful in the first stage of the process will be invited and supported in stage two of the process, which involves the design of a local development strategy for their area. I expect that some local development strategies will be operational and that funding will be available for them by autumn 2015.

My Department’s local and community development programme, LCDP, concluded on 31 March 2015 and the new social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP, was rolled out across communities on 1 April 2015.

SICAP was subject to a public procurement process. Tenderers have now been informed of the outcome of their tender. Local and community development committees, LCDCs, have finalised contracts with the winning tenderers in all but two areas of the country, where interim arrangements to support business continuity have been put in place. I can confirm that funding has been forwarded to SICAP implementing bodies and actions under the programme have now commenced.

The primary focus of the Department is to ensure that front-line services, particularly those focused on the needs of the most socially deprived communities, are protected. I am confident the new programme will continue to provide key supports to those most in need in our communities.

In order to support entities making expressions of interest, my Department has been organising information sessions. Such sessions were held in Nenagh, Tullamore and Sligo last night.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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10 o’clock

I understand a judicial review has been sought in respect of the decision relating to the roll-out of the social inclusion and community activation programme in County Galway. Will the Minister of State clarify whether she will continue to provide interim funding to the existing companies for the duration of this judicial process? Are discussions taking place between her Department and the companies to try to resolve the issues at stake without having to go to the great expense, on both sides, of a court case?

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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It has not been possible to finalise SICAP contractual arrangements in Counties Galway and Meath at this time. Legal issues have arisen in both cases and continue to be followed up. We are very committed to resolving these issues. However, there is a legal process under way, tenders were sought and won, and I am restricted in what I can say at this time.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that in a case such as this, discussions sometimes take place outside the legal process to resolve the issues at stake. In fact, cases are often sorted out on the steps of the court, even after enormous expenses have been incurred. In such cases, resolution is achieved by way of negotiation rather than through the legal process, the latter involving great expense for both sides. Is the Minister of State willing to enter into discussions with a party which has serious concerns, namely, FORUM Connemara, in an effort to resolve the issues, rather than bringing everybody through a very expensive court case which may or may not go in the Department's favour? This matter is urgent given that leave for judicial review to ascertain whether there is a substantive case has already been granted.

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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I assure the Deputy that my officials and I are doing everything we can to resolve these matters. I am precluded from interfering in the legal process in any way, but we are doing all we can outside that process. Nobody is ignoring the issue; it is receiving the fullest attention within the Department.