Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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341. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application to North East Mayo Leader by a scheme (details supplied) in County Mayo; and when payment will be made. [29159/13]

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 to the North Mayo area.

On foot of correspondence received in 2011 regarding a possible governance issue at MNELP, a comprehensive investigation into the issues outlined was instigated. This proved to be a very complex investigation and, on foot of its initial findings and in the context of my Department's responsibility to ensure that RDP funding is delivered in an efficient and effective way, a decision was made to suspend project approvals by the Partnership on 7 March 2012. However, the issuing of payments to eligible approved applications is progressing as normal.

The Final Report has been provided to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Managing Authority for the RDP. The Managing Authority has subsequently reported the findings to the European Commission and the external accreditation auditors (Deloitte). The Report has been considered in my Department and an Action Plan has been agreed with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. My Department has also agreed a series of actions to be taken by MNELP which are at an advanced stage of implementation .

I notified MNELP on 24 April 2013 of my intention to restore their contract under the Programme subject to certain arrangements being put in place and my Department is currently working on the practical details. I understand that no formal application has been received from the group referred to in the question. Once a formal application is submitted MENLP will be in a position to assess the application.