Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 182: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a group (details supplied) will receive payment for the LEADER grant contract they were approved considering that equipment has been ordered based on their approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35007/11]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 183: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a group (details supplied) will receive payment for the grant contract they were approved considering that the group took out a bridging loan, with personal guarantees, based on the funding contract approved by LEADER; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35008/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together.

Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (MFG) was contracted by my Department to deliver two programmes in Gaeltacht areas, the Rural Development Programme (RDP) Axes 3 and 4, and the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP). MFG also implemented other programmes on behalf of other Government Departments.

I understand the difficulty that the recent dissolution of this company is having on project promoters in Gaeltacht areas and I am sympathetic to this situation; however, it is my Department's responsibility to ensure that any solution arrived at will maintain the continued effective delivery of services in Gaeltacht areas previously supplied by MFG. Potential solutions must also be compliant with the relevant national and EU regulations and frameworks.

There are complex legal and contractual issues in regard to MFG to be resolved and my Department is currently working on both long and short term solutions to ensure the continued delivery of the RDP and other programmes in Gaeltacht areas, including those in Co Mayo. My intention is to find a solution that will be efficient and effective and applied at the earliest possible opportunity.