Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 187: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when Leader funds will be paid to an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo; the reason for the delay in this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3239/12]

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

There are 35 Local Action Groups contracted, on my Department's behalf, to deliver Axes 3 & 4 of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 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.

All funding requests are subject to a risk assessment process to determine whether or not they will be subject to a control procedure. The programme is required by EU regulation to conduct controls on a certain percentage of the expenditure incurred under the RDP; these controls are conducted when a request for the drawdown of funds is received (pre-payment controls) and subsequent to the payment of the RDP grant aid (post-payment controls).

Bonniconlon Community Centre Ltd has already received an RDP grant payment of €56,150.43 in October 2011 as part of the phased payment process allowable under the RDP. Mayo North East Leader Partnership, on behalf of Bonniconlon Community Centre Ltd, requested a second drawdown of funds for €105,419.54 on 10 November 2011. This request was subsequently chosen through the risk assessment process for a pre-payment control check. As part of this check the file was examined and my Department has requested clarification on a number of issues and is awaiting response to its queries.

This process is part of the overall management of the RDP and is required by EU regulation. Mayo North East LEADER Partnership and Bonniconlon Community Centre Ltd will be advised of the results of this process once it is complete.