Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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722. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of applications for Leader funding from within County Mayo, that are currently awaiting assessment at any stage within his Department; the names of each applicant; the total amount due; the name of the Leader Company that has submitted the application; his views on the ongoing delays in payment of Leader grants to community and commercial applicants, and the ensuing pressure that this is placing on voluntary community representatives and start-up businesses. [34538/15]

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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The Local Action Groups contracted to deliver the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 throughout the country are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding under the Programme. Mayo North East Leader Partnership, South West Mayo Development Company and Comhar na nOilean Teo are the Local Action Groups contracted by my Department to deliver the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 in County Mayo. All applications for funding under the Programme are submitted, by project promoters, directly to those companies.

There are no LEADER applications awaiting assessment in County Mayo at present. I am advised that 99.6% of the funding approved in respect of the geographical area serviced by South West Mayo Development Company Ltd has been paid to projects, 62% of the funding approved in the geographical area serviced by Mayo North East LEADER Partnership has been paid to projects and 100% of the funding approved in respect of the geographical area serviced by Comhar na nOilean Teo has been paid to projects.

My Department currently has two claims on hand, which are under review prior to approval for payment, and will continue to work closely with Mayo North East Leader Partnership Ltd, to process any remaining claims as quickly as possible.