Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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147. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if and when funding will be released for the Big House Festival, Castletown House, Celbridge, County Kildare, which is due to take place on 20 May 2013; if he will prioritise the release of funding with particular reference to the fact that the festival is due to take place in three weeks time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21712/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department is currently working with all Local Development Companies (LDC) contracted to deliver the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) in order to facilitate the speedy consideration of festival projects in the context of their contribution to The Gathering this year.

My Department has spoken to the LDC in question, Cill Dara ar Aghaidh Teo , and was informed that this project has yet to be considered by the Board. The LDC is the principle decision maker in respect of project submissions and in this context it is the responsibility of the Board to consider the eligibility and suitability of this project for RDP funding. My Department will work with this LDC , and all other LDCs , to facilitate the consideration of festival projects that have tight deadlines, recognising that the responsibility for decision making rests solely with the LDC.