Brendan Kenneally (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason for the delay in having a payment made to a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35114/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Funding was awarded to the group in question under the 2005 cycle of the Programme of Support for Local Community and Voluntary Groups. The Programme provides support to groups to undertake refurbishment works, to engage in a broad range of training activities and to equip community facilities in support of the local delivery of services. This cycle of grants was closed over two years ago. Despite signing a contact, the group failed to meet its reporting and drawdown obligations. As a result of this, the Department moved during 2007 to get the group to claim the outstanding grant by the end of 2007 or have it withdrawn in line with the terms and conditions agreed. The group made a claim in March 2008 some two and half months after the deadline set by the Department. I understand that in a review carried out since mid-year, my Department has agreed to process a number of outstanding claims, even though a process to withdraw the grant in question had commenced. All payments due to the group will be made when outstanding queries have been satisfactorily resolved.