Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent of any over or under-expenditure, capital or current, by Vote, heading or subheading to date in 2010 in tabular form; the reason for any surplus or shortfall; if expenditure to date in each case is in line with budgetary projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44653/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's gross allocation to deliver its wide range of programmes and measures in 2010 is €440.864m. A supplementary estimate providing an additional allocation of €14m in capital was approved yesterday by the Select Committee for Tourism, Culture, Sport, Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The additional funding will be provided to the following subheads:

· D.5 LEADER Rural Economy 2007-2013 (€8m);

· E.1. Gaeltacht Capital (€3m); and

· E.7. Údarás Na Gaeltachta – Grants for Projects & Capital Expenditure on

Buildings (€3m).

The additional €8m for LEADER is required due to greater than expected take up under the Rural Development Programme 2007-13 (RDP) during 2010. Many groups are finding that project promoters are in a position to complete projects earlier than expected and, therefore, require additional funding in order to meet those demands. Accordingly, this Supplementary Estimate will allow worthwhile RDP projects to be completed, which will have a positive effect on the rural economy and the quality of life in rural areas. For every euro spent, it will also lead to Appropriations-in-Aid into the Exchequer of up to 55% from the EU. The Supplementary Estimate will also facilitate the payment of grants under the Gaeltacht Housing Scheme in respect of eligible applications that were on hand at the time of the suspension of the scheme.

The additional allocation to Údarás na Gaeltachta will enable additional payments to be made this year in respect of commitments arising from the provision of a range of training courses by the academic sector. My Department will continue to monitor and manage expenditure across all subheads in the lead up to the end of the year, in line with public financial procedures.