Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reasons Pobal will only pay grants awarded under DAF in instalments to a group (details supplied); the reason they are not allowed draw down the balance of the DAF grant in full; and the reason the organisation is being subjected to difficult bureaucratic procedures in relation to the grant. [22021/07]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The organisation in question was approved by Government for a capital grant of €90,000 under the Dormant Accounts RAPID Additionality measure in June 2006. My Department engaged Pobal to administer this measure on its behalf. Due to a delay on the part of the organisation concerned in confirming project costs, Pobal visited the organisation in April 2007 to assist them with fulfilling outstanding requirements. Following that visit the group returned a completed contract on 22 June 2007 and an initial payment of €27,000 issued on 6 July 2007. In line with standard procedure with regard to such grants, the payment terms include conditional phased payments of the grant sum. The group subsequently requested a second phase payment on 19 September 2007 to cover certain payments made. In this regard I am advised that Pobal have raised queries with the group in relation to these payments.

I would like to assure the Deputy that I am anxious at all times to ensure that funding drawdown in respect of approved grants under the auspices of my Department is effected in a timely manner, subject to adherence in all cases to agreed financial procedures and guidelines.