Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of Leader projects of values of more than €250,000 that are waiting for his approval; the length of time in each case since these were forwarded to his Department for approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43967/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Funding of €314m is available under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 for allocation to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013. There are 35 Local Action Groups (LAGs) contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the 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.

Projects that request funding of €150,000 or more are required to seek final approval from the Department. The assessment of higher value projects (projects with a grant approval of €150,000 or more) usually involves detailed consultations between my Department and the relevant local development company. It frequently necessitates the provision of further documentation or clarifications. It may also, in some instances, result in modifications to the project proposed to ensure best value for money and compliance with all the necessary regulations, both national and European, governing the activities funded under the programme. These assessments also consider whether the project as proposed addresses the needs of the local community in the best possible way. A full and detailed assessment of all projects is essential. Currently, LEADER activities are co-financed by the European Union at a rate of 85% and, accordingly, come within the remit of a strict regulatory regime which requires that each project must be compliant before any funding is awarded by the LEADER companies.

My Department currently has thirty eight projects at various stages of assessment, with an amount of €14.7 million in total project costs and €9.6 million in grant aid requested on hand.

A substantial number of those projects have been received since June 2012; however, in relation to a small number there has been ongoing correspondence with the LAGs concerned for some time.

The policy in my Department is to work with the Local Development Companies to ensure that the projects submitted are fully compliant and can be approved rather than to refuse approval for funding and it can therefore take some time to come to a final conclusion. My Department will continue to work with the relevant LAGs to make a full assessment of the eligibility of these projects and will inform the LAGs once all queries have been addressed satisfactorily.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when permission to approve projects was withdrawn from North East Mayo Integrated Leader Company; the reason for same; when it is intended to give permission to them to resume approving projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43968/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Mayo North East Leader Partnership (MNELP) is the Local Action Group contracted by my Department to deliver both the Rural Development Programme (RDP) and the Local Community Development Programme (LCDP) to the North Mayo area.

On foot of correspondence I received in 2011 regarding a possible governance issue at Mayo North East LEADER Partnership Company, I directed my Department to investigate the matter. This investigation is complex and ongoing and pending its completion the authority for MNELP to approve projects under the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme was suspended in early March 2012 and that will remain the position for the time being.

I expect the final investigation report to be finalised and submitted to me shortly.