Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2024
80. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details on the total amounts of monies awarded to Louth County Council by her Department in 2023; the total monies drawn down and spent by Louth County Council over the same year; if not spent, the total monies that were returned to her Department respectively over the same year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3826/24]
View answerI can confirm that in 2023 over €6.5 million was allocated to County Louth through the wide range of programmes and schemes administered by my Department. I can also confirm that total funding drawn down across County Louth in 2023 was €6.8 million, with €6.5 million of that drawn down by Louth County Council.
In some instances, projects approved for funding are delivered over a multi-annual period. This means that funding allocated in one year may not be drawn down until the following year or later, at the point that the project has completed satisfactorily.
Some of the key allocations approved for County Louth in 2023 included:
• €1.7 million for the Community Services Programme;
• €1.7 million for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme;
• €1.5 million for the Community Recognition Fund; and
• €422,764 for the Local Improvement Scheme;
In 2023 the following amounts were de-committed in County Louth due to projects being completed for less than originally anticipated and approved:
• €34,451 under Town and Village Renewal;
• €7,022 under the Local Improvement Scheme;
• €16,767 under the Town Centre First initiative, and;
• €415 under Dormant Account Fund Libraries scheme;
In addition, there was one project under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, which was pre-funded by my Department, and for which Louth County Council returned €1,033 as it was completed for less than the amount planned.
Budget 2024 provides my Department with a gross allocation of €431 million. This will provide €210 million for capital investment, with the remaining €221 million for current expenditure. These allocations represent a core funding increase of €4 million for capital and €12 million for current, compared to 2023. My Department will continue to work closely with local authorities, including Louth County Council, to ensure that our resources are put to best use, which is reflected in the level of expenditure incurred each year by my Department.
