Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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268. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the proposed new arrangements for the delivery of the LEADER Programme in the Mayo North East Area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21270/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I have informed Mayo North East Leader Partnership (MNELP) of my decision in principle to allow a limited resumption of its activities under the Rural Development Programme once contracts and administrative procedures have been agreed with my Department and put in place. Under the new arrangements, MNELP will continue to be the deciding authority for the approval of projects and my Department will carry out the administrative checks required under the European Commission Regulations. My Department is currently working with Mayo North East LEADER Partnership to outline the operational details of the systems to be put in place to facilitate the implementation of the RDP going forward.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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269. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the current situation in respect of the delivery of the LEADER Programme in the North Mayo Gaeltacht Area which was previously administered by MFG; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21271/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 is managed by my Department and provides funding to support the development of sustainable rural communities all over Ireland. This support is currently available to almost all Gaeltacht areas through Local Development Companies contracted to deliver the RDP.

These companies continue to facilitate access to significant financial resources for both enterprise support and community type interventions and will continue to take applications for funding until the end of 2013.

With regard to the North Mayo Gaeltacht area, which is not currently covered by the RDP, my Department is working to determine a delivery mechanism to ensure full coverage for all the Gaeltacht areas, including North Mayo, that is practical and complies with both national and EU regulations. I am confident that this process is nearing completion.