Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 December 2013
270. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will provide additional funding to the Cavan-Monaghan Leader group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51941/13]
View answer271. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide additional funding with immediate effect to the Cavan-Monaghan Leader group as the reduction in funding of €2.1 million last May is having a very negative effect on a number of projects which have good employment potential and such projects are important to local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51944/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.
During 2011, the European Commission approved a change in the maximum co-funding rate from 55% to 85% in relation to LEADER. This had the effect of reducing the available funding under the Programme from €427 million to an estimated €370 million. It was therefore necessary to carry out a comprehensive review of the level of commitments and expenditure across the Programme in order to apportion the remaining funds among the Local Development Companies (LDCs), taking into account the level of commitments already entered into. The redistribution of funding was conducted in as fair and equitable a manner as was possible.
On 20 May 2013, Cavan Monaghan LEADER was awarded a revised allocation of RDP funding of €9,923,866. My Department is keeping the funding position under constant review. I expect that there will be a small amount of uncommitted LEADER Programme funding available for re-distribution to LDCs before year end; I will review the options available for distributing these funds and make allocations in the coming weeks.
