Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

247. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of projects over €150,000 in value, awaiting approval, broken down by integrated company, value and the date received , the reason for the delay in approving these projects; if consideration has been given to raising the threshold for Ministerial approval from €150,000 to €250,000; if not the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43630/13]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

249. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of LEADER projects of more than €150,000 value that are awaiting ministerial approval; the date each project was submitted; the value of each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43636/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 249 together.

Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 was agreed with the European Commission in February 2007 and stipulates that all projects in excess of €150,000 require prior approval from my Department. These projects are regarded as potentially higher risk to the fund due to their high value. I have no plans, therefore, to increase the threshold beyond €150,000.

Experience to date has shown that around 80% of the projects submitted to my Department do not have all the necessary information on file and in some cases have significant levels of deficiencies regarding and compliance with, EU Regulations including in relation to eligibility. Examining the projects is therefore time consuming.

Currently, 45 projects are at various stages of assessment, as set out in the table below.