Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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102. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51222/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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During 2011, the European Commission approved a change in the maximum co-funding rate from 55% to 85% in relation to LEADER. This had the effect of reducing the available funding under the Programme from €427 million to an estimated €370 million. It was therefore necessary to carry out a comprehensive review of the level of commitments and expenditure across the Programme in order to apportion the remaining funds among the Local Development Companies (LDCs), taking into account the level of commitments already entered into.  The redistribution of funding was conducted in as fair and equitable a manner as was possible. 

On 20 May 2013, North East Kerry Development (NEKD) were awarded a revised allocation of RDP funding of €8,937,452 which includes €483,183 ring-fenced for Gaeltacht areas. My Department is keeping the funding position under constant review. I expect that there will be a small amount of uncommitted LEADER Programme funding available for re-distribution to LDCs before year end; I will review the options available for distributing these funds and make allocations in the coming weeks.