Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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547. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has additional funding for a project (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22726/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, there are 35 Local Action Groups (LAGs) contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) throughout the country. The LAG for the area referred to in the question is North and East Kerry LEADER Partnership Teoranta (NEKD). The LAGs are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the local development strategy of the individual groups and in line with the Programme’s Operating Rules and EU regulations.

On 20th December last, NEKD received an additional allocation of funding under the RDP of €283,121. As the LAG is the principal decision maker in relation to project funding, it is the responsibility of the LAG to determine what projects will be allocated funding.