Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the expected percentage of projects approved under the LEADER process that will not be completed and draw down any money under the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12703/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I refer to the replies to Questions Nos. 77, 80 and 82 on today's order paper. Axes 3 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme 2007 – 2013 (RDP) , for which my Department has responsibility , are delivered using a "bottom up" or community led approach. Decision-making with regard to project approvals and project completions rest s with the 35 Local Development Companies who are contracted by my Department to deliver the LEADER elements of the RDP. All projects that are approved are expected to be completed, but timing and progress are matters for the companies and the project promoters.

The rules of the RDP require a full assessment of the viability and sustainability of any project applying for RDP funding and each project must satisfy these requirements prior to receiving formal approval. However, it is not possible to be definitive at this stage about the percentage of projects that may not ultimately reach completion in the current programming period.