Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the reason that North East Mayo Integrated Development Company has not being approving LEADER projects in recent months; the date from which this occurred; the steps taken by him to resolve the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54198/12]

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 but advanced, and approval of projects under the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme was suspended on 7 March 2012 and remains suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. Payment of eligible approved applications is progressing as normal. My Department will act on the recommendations of the investigation as soon as is possible following completion of the processes associated with the investigation. My Department is committed to providing the resources of the Rural Development Programme (LEADER) to the area going forward.