Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 October 2007
546 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding outstanding payments due to a group (details supplied) in County Kerry from the European Refugee Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23995/07]
View answerThe group referred to by the Deputy was allocated funding of €160,420, amounting to 50% of a total project cost of €320,840 which was programmed for payment over the years 2006 and 2007. Monies from the European Refugee Fund are issued each year in a series of payments subject to the application of the various rules of eligibility of expenditure issued by the European Commission, which are very detailed and complex. On examination of the financial returns submitted in respect of 2006 the group was found to be entitled to a reduced overall allocation of €55,807,13 which has been paid.
The group has also been paid a total of €64,168 (inclusive of a payment of €24,063 which was paid yesterday) in respect of 2007 and is due a final payment of €16,042 which will be paid early next year. These payments are subject to verification and may be amended when the financial returns for 2007 are examined, if the expenditure concerned does not comply with the various rules of eligibility of expenditure issued by the European Commission.
I am supportive of the role of voluntary bodies in providing services to refugees and asylum seekers, and the relevant European Commission rules concerning the administration of the European Refugee Fund are applied to the maximum possible benefit of such organisations. In this regard a meeting has been arranged for 16 November between the Reception and Integration Agency and representatives of the group.
