Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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197. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will respond to representations from Louth Leader Partnership (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42445/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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As detailed in the EU regulatory framework, a maximum of 20% of the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) can be spent on administration by the Local Action Group contracted to deliver the Programme in their area. It should be noted that the funding amount available did change during the programme period. However, all Local Action Groups were fully informed of the changes and were expected to amend their operating costs accordingly in order to ensure sufficient budgetary resources to support the operation of the RDP to completion. Louth LEADER Partnership has been paid just under €1.4 million in administration funding since mid-2009.

There is no facility within the EU regulatory framework to provide interim funding and I have no plans to provide interim administration funding for any company between the closure of the current 2007-2013 Programme and the commencement of the 2014-2020 Programme.