Vol. 552 No. 3
97 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if there is a scheme in his Department whereby a community group can apply for funding to upgrade a local community hall or obtain funding for other community projects; if a contact or liaison person in his Department co-ordinates such an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12492/02]
In general, grant aid to assist the refurbishment of a building as a com munity centre and other community based projects can be considered for support under the Leader programmes. The programmes are operated directly by the Leader groups nationwide. While my Department allocates funding to the groups, decisions on project proposals are made by the groups themselves in accordance with the bottom up strategy underpinning Leader.
Potential promoters of projects for funding should in the first instance and prior to commencement of any work, discuss with the local Leader group to ascertain the criteria for eligibility and the procedures in submitting an application for grant aid. Assistance is also given through CLÁR in association with the relevant Departments and Agencies to such projects in CLÁR areas.
