Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are sufficient moneys in the system in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to pay for projects approved and in the queue for payment. If there is a difficulty in the evaluation of projects in the Department, we must obtain further information. That rarely happens and there should not be a difficulty if the projects have been submitted to the Department. The moneys will be paid from the €25.5 million I have allocated, which will be cleared by the end of the week. Further moneys are available to West Cork Development Partnership to bring forward new projects between now and the end of August. I will review the projects to which the development company has committed, as I will review all other Leader projects. This is to ensure all of the commitments made in 2011 and 2012 will be met. If projects are not going ahead, I will take back the money and reallocate it to companies around the country in a position to spend it. The ball is firmly in the Leader company's court. Cork County Council is very satisfied to work with local communities, as are all local authorities, to reduce the level of administration and duplication and prioritise funding for front-line services and projects.