Leader Programmes Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2013

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

Questions (632)

Tom Fleming

Question:

632. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review and increase the LEADER allocation to South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd., in view of the fact that the allocation for the South Kerry Gaeltacht is inadequate and unjustified in view of the fact that Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teo ceased operations in September 2011 and their legacy files exceeded this allocation amount; if he will take into consideration the large number of applications currently with SKDP for funding from these Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27777/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department recently completed a full review of expenditure under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 in order to apportion the remaining funding among all the LDCs contracted to deliver the Programme. As part of this exercise €6 million was provided for the Gaeltacht areas formerly served by Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (MFG).

When apportioning the €6 million among the Gaeltacht areas, as a first step, my Department provided funding to cater for the former MFG legacy files and associated administration costs. This amounted to €3.04 million in total. Of this only €115,831 related to South Kerry Development Partnership (SKDP) i.e. €96,526 in MFG legacy files and €19,305 in associated administration costs. SKDP confirmed to my Department on the 18 April 2013 that this was the accurate figure for the SKDP MFG legacy files, and this was used as a basis for awarding the allocation. SKDP was awarded a total Gaeltacht allocation of €196,009. In addition, SKDP was awarded a further €2,082,157 for their area which they may also spend in the South Kerry Gaeltacht if they so wish.