Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 79 of 16 May 2006 his views on whether his response to the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee has been adequate; if he has made further changes in regard to putting in place a proper control and accountability framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31295/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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As indicated in my answer to Parliamentary Question No. 79 of 16 May 2006, my Department has taken account of the issues raised by the Public Accounts Committee in its report of March 2006 and we continue to have regard to these recommendations in the ongoing management of our grants schemes.

The payment arrangements set out in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 79 were those operated by my Department for the 2005 Programme of Grants for Locally-Based for Community and Voluntary Organisations. I launched the 2006 Programme of Grants in August this year and updated the arrangements for the phased payment of grants.

Under the 2006 Programme, for grants of up to €10,000, 90% is paid on receipt of a signed contract/letter of offer, with the balance of 10% paid retrospectively on the basis of full vouched expenditure. Grants of over €10,000 are paid in three instalments of 50% on receipt of a signed contract/letter of offer, a further 40% on receipt of an expenditure report for the first instalment and 10% retrospectively on the basis of full vouched expenditure.

I am satisfied that these arrangements strike the appropriate balance between a proper control and accountability framework, as recommended by the Public Accounts Committee, and facilitating the voluntary, locally-based groups covered by this Programme in advancing their projects.