Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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236. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to the Rural Development Programme for Ireland 2007-2013, the number of projects that were deemed ineligible either fully or partially on foot of an inspection; the number of these projects that were appealed to the district inspector; the number that were upheld by the district inspector; the number that were appealed to the regional inspector; the number that were upheld by the regional inspector; the number that were appealed to his Departments appeals panel; the number that were upheld by his Departments appeals panel; if the Office of the Ombudsman reviewed any decisions-processes by DECLG and, if so, the number of same; the number of these decisions-processes that were found in favour of DECLG; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43358/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The information sought regarding controls and reviews carried out by the Inspection Services Section (ISS) of my Department is not readily available in the format requested. The information is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy.

55 decisions made by the Regional Inspect ors were appealed to the Department’s Appeals Panel (DAP). Nineteen of these appeals were not upheld, fourteen were upheld, eight were partially upheld, three were withdrawn, two were disallowed and nine are awaiting a decision. Four of the DAP decisions were appealed to the Office of the Ombudsman and one was upheld.

Three further appeals, outside of the DAP process, were submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman. One of these related to a decision by a Regional Inspector and this appeal was upheld. Another related to a review of procedures followed by a Local Action Group in refusing a project. The review was carried out by a Regional Inspector and the appeal to the Ombudsman is on-going. The final appeal relates to a decision by the Rural Development Section of my Department and this was not upheld.