Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 2002

Vol. 555 No. 5

Written Answers. - Leader Programmes.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

410 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the assessment procedure which is undertaken when an application is received for funding under Leader; if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork, who was informed that their application was refused and was subsequently advised verbally late last week that the application has been approved for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19291/02]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

In accordance with the philosophy of rural development, the local Leader group is the decision-making authority in relation to approving actions falling within its business plan. All boards are required to establish evaluation committees to look at applications for grant assistance. Members of the evaluation committee must be independent and ideally must not be members of the board. The role of the evaluation committee is to make recommendations to the board which then makes the final decision on projects. It is in order for a board to overrule the advice of the evaluation committee. In the particular case in question, my Department is in consultation with the local Leader group and when this consultation is complete, I will write directly to the Deputy updating him on the position.