Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 March 2014
263. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a group (details supplied) in County Galway will receive funding for its project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10401/14]
View answerIn line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, there are 35 Local Development Companies (LDCs) contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) throughout the country. The LDCs 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 LDC for the Galway areas outside of the Gaeltacht and Connemara is Galway Rural Development Company Ltd. (GRD). I understand that GRD received an application in respect of the project in question which could not be progressed due to insufficient funding being available.
Where a project promoter is dissatisfied with a decision of the LAG a review can be requested and in line with the RDP Operating Rules where the applicant is dissatisfied with the outcome of the LAG review they have the right to appeal the decision to a Regional Inspector in my Department. The Regional Inspector will review the decision of the LAG in respect of the process and procedures it followed in coming to the original decision, in performing the review and the LAG’s interpretation of the relevant national/EU regulatory requirements.
