Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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470. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding LEADER funding (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40681/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department continues to monitor the situation with regard to the allocation and drawdown of funding under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP). I advised all Local Development Companies (LDCs), including Longford Community Resources , of their revised Programme allocations in May 2013 and LDCs were given until 31 August to allocate any remaining available funding to ensure that all funding is allocated before the end of 2013.

Currently there is approximately €20.6m in potential commitments for eligibility assessment with my Department and I envisage that this process will be complete by the end of October 2013.  Following this, all LDCs, including Longford Community Resources will be informed if there is any availability of unallocated funds with a view to reaching full programme commitment by the end of 2013. 

I understand that the project in question is under consideration by Longford Community Resources and as the LDC is the principal decision maker in relation to project funding, it will be the responsibility of the LDC to determine what projects will be allocated funding should additional funding become available from the above process.