Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2013
452. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that investigation of possible governance issues in Mayo North East Leader Partnership Teo has concluded; the action he intends to take arising out of the findings and recommendations of the report from the investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2639/13]
View answer458. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm the findings and recommendations made arising out of the investigation of possible governance issues in Mayo North East Leader Partnership Teo and the irregularities if any that were found; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2880/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 452 and 458 together.
Mayo North East Leader Partnership (MNELP) is the Local Action Group contracted by my Department to deliver both the Rural Development Programme (RDP) and the Local Community Development Programme (LCDP) to the North Mayo area. On foot of correspondence received in 2011 regarding a possible governance issue at Mayo North East LEADER Partnership Company, a comprehensive investigation in to the issues outlined was instigated . This proved to be a very complex investigation and, on foot of its initial findings and in the context of the Department's responsibility to ensure that RDP funding is delivered in an efficient and effective way, a decision was made to suspend project approvals by MNELP on the 7 March 2012. However, it should also be noted that the issuing of payments to eligible approved applications is progressing as normal.
The Final Report, which has recently been made available to me, has been provided to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) (Managing Authority for the RDP) which has subsequently reported the findings to the European Commission and the external accreditation auditors (Deloitte). The findings of the investigation have also been reported to both the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and the Standards in Public Office Commission and consideration of these findings will be subject to the relevant processes in these bodies. The Report is also under consideration in my own Department. It is critical that the funds delivered through the LEADER elements of the RDP are managed in an efficient and effective way , and the suspension of project approvals in MNELP will remain in place until I am satisfied that such approvals can proceed.
While we must ensure correct and proper management and implementation of the LEADER elements of the RDP from both a regulatory and value for money perspective, my Department's objective is to conclude the processes associated with this investigation with a view to reinstating access to RDP funds to the citizens of Mayo North East at the earliest possible opportunity, while ensuring regulatory compliance, value for money and maximum impact for the people of North Mayo. On foot of recent meetings with DAFM, my Department is currently developing an Action Plan that will provide the necessary assurances in these regards.
