Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 345: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an appeal for Leader funding by an applicant (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24796/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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There are 36 Local Action Groups contracted, on my Department's behalf, to deliver the Rural Development Programme throughout the country and these groups are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the local development strategy of the individual groups and in line with Departmental operating rules and EU regulations. There is provision in the operating rules of the Rural Development Programme to allow an applicant if dissatisfied with the decision of a Local Action Group, to appeal that decision to the Regional Inspector. The applicant in question appealed a decision made by South West Mayo Development Company not to support a grant application. On foot of the appeal by the applicant a review was carried out and has been completed. The applicant was made aware of the findings of the appeal on the 29 June 2011. Subsequently the applicant wrote to my Department requesting a review of the appeal decision. This is currently under consideration.