Written Answers Nos. 131-135
131. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a grant application to Mayo north east Leader partnership company by an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo. [7056/14]
View answer140. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application to Mayo north east Leader partnership company in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo. [7156/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 140 together.
In line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development, there are 35 Local Action Groups (LAGs) contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) throughout the country.
The relevant LAG in respect of the projects referred to is Mayo North East LEADER Partnership (MNELP). The LAGs are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the local development strategy of the individual groups and in line with Programme’s Operating Rules and EU regulations.
The project applications in question were submitted to my Department for review which has been completed. The project applications will now go back to the Board of MNELP for final decisions.
133. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, following his recent meeting with the county manager, he will make emergency funding available to North Tipperary County Council to purchase housing in the Ashbury development, Roscrea, which is urgently required for the provision of social housing in the Roscrea area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7065/14]
View answerIn 2013 my Department provided in excess of €3.5 million to North Tipperary County Council in respect of all the measures included in the Social Housing Investment Programme. This included €442,851 for the purchases of houses in Ballina, Nenagh and Roscrea.
In the case of the properties at Ashbury, Roscrea, my Department recently requested North Tipperary County Council to submit further information in relation to the proposal to purchase these properties, including an assessment of the condition of the properties, the extent of the repairs and refurbishment required to bring these up to the required standard and the overall cost involved. On receipt of this information the proposal will be further examined.
134. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will allocate any further funding to Kildare Leader partnership for projects in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7090/14]
View answerCill Dara ar Aghaidh is the Local Development Company contracted by my Department to deliver the Leader elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 in Kildare and the Company has an allocation of €10,642,073 under the Programme.
The current programme funding is fully allocated and I anticipate commencement of the next programme in early 2015.
135. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if any requests have been received in his Department to declare or approve an emergency in any local authority area; if he will name such authorities; when the request was received arising from the recent adverse weather conditions and flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7093/14]
View answerIreland’s Framework for Emergency Management (2006) enables the Principal Response Agencies (Local Authorities, An Garda Síochána and the HSE) to prepare for and make a coordinated response to a variety of major emergencies, including flooding. Local Authorities are the lead agency for coordination purposes at local level.
Under the Framework, Departmental or national-level approval is not required to declare a major emergency at local level. The triggers for such a declaration at local level depend on the nature and scale of the emergency being experienced. National level support can be brought to bear if a Local Major Emergency Management Coordination Group requests any such assistance.
The local authorities which were particularly affected by the severe weather led the coordinated response, with all relevant local agencies and organisations, to the particular conditions in their areas. No local authority declared a major emergency during the recent severe weather, nor was any request made for national assistance.
