Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding administration of funds from Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15082/13]

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

The position set out in the correspondence referred to in the Question regarding the administration of EU funds for local development is incorrect on a number of fronts. It appears to be based on an erroneous understanding of the proposals for enhanced alignment between local government and local development set out in Putting People First – Action Programme for Effective Local Government.

The correspondence also appears to be based on a misunderstanding of the EU regulations for local development funding. All EU co-funded local development programmes will continue to be implemented for the purposes intended under the EU regulations and in full compliance with those regulations. Any assertion to the contrary, such as the scenarios set out in the correspondence supplied, is incorrect and misleading.