Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2013
435. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount of money that has been allocated to projects under the LEADER programme in County Roscommon to date; the total amount of money available for allocation under the LEADER programme it the county; when the IDC will be informed of its allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18560/13]
View answer436. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount of money that has been allocated to projects under the LEADER programme in County Galway to date; the total amount of money available for allocation under the LEADER programme it the county; when the IDC will be informed of its allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18561/13]
View answer437. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount of money that has been allocated to projects under the LEADER programme in County Leitrim to date; the total amount of money available for allocation under the LEADER programme in the county; when the IDC will be informed of its allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18562/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 435 to 437, inclusive, together.
Axes 3 and 4 (LEADER elements) of the Rural Development Programme has already allocated significant resources to areas in rural Ireland since it commenced in 2009. To date: almost €6.2 million has been allocated to specific projects through Roscommon LEADER Partnership, the Local Development Company (LDC) contracted by my Department to deliver the Programme in Roscommon; almost €12 million has been allocated to specific projects in County Galway through the Local Development Companies (LDCs) who are/were contracted by my Department to deliver the Programme. These LDCs are Galway Rural Development, Forum Connemara, Comhar na nOileán and, up until September 2011, the former Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta; almost €5.5 million has been allocated to specific projects in County Leitrim through Leitrim Integrated Development, the Local Development Company (LDC) contracted by my Department to deliver the Programme in Leitrim.
My Department is currently conducting an evaluation exercise to determine the level of project commitments across all LDC s and the Programme measures. This evaluation is almost complete and was required in order to re-balance the Programme in as equitable a way as possible. I expect my Department will be in contact with all LDCs very shortly regarding allocations.
