Written answers

Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Rural Development Programme Funding

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the actions being taken by his Department to ensure that moneys approved by Meithal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teo prior to the cessation of the company and which was not paid out by the company to ensure that this is now honoured and paid out by his Department under the LEADER funding. [44840/12]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (MFG), the group contracted by my Department to deliver Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) in Irish Language Areas, went into liquidation on 7 September 2011. Progress, in the context of the legal “winding up” process, is currently ongoing.

The process of identifying those promoters whose projects are at an advanced stage of development has been established and a system, in cooperation with Local Development Companies contiguous to Gaeltacht areas, is in place to facilitate the final checking and processing of payment claims in respect of these projects. Many of these files have now been sent to the relevant Local Development Companies (LDCs) who will be in touch directly with the relevant promoter.

In the context of the delivery of the Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER) elements of the RDP in Gaeltacht areas in the longer term, I can confirm that contracts are now in place with Local Development Companies to replace MFG as the delivery mechanism for RDP (LEADER) for the Gaeltacht areas of Counties Galway, Donegal, Kerry, Cork, Waterford and Meath. While there is a system in place to address the current outstanding commitments in Co Mayo in general, and the future delivery for the Gaeltacht areas of South West Mayo in particular, some further work is required in order to finalise a solution for the future delivery in the remaining areas of Co Mayo. However, I expect that a solution in respect of that final area will be reached very shortly.

I believe that the final solution, which sees the future delivery of the LEADER elements of the RDP allocated to the relevant Local Development Companies is a significant step forward, and I am confident that the Gaeltacht areas of Ireland will be restored to full access to RDP funding in the near future.

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