Vol. 490 No. 5
132 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if there is £30 million unspent under the Leader II programme; if he has decided to reallocate this money to Leader groups who have committed their total allocations in their Leader areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10562/98]
The groups approved under the Leader II programme have spent or committed approximately £50 million of the £87.5 million available to them. The situation is under ongoing review and a comprehensive formal examination of each group's performance together with an evaluation of its plans for using any funding remaining will be carried out at the end of June. I will give careful consideration to the need to examine the real-location of the funds at that stage.
133 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of projects approved under the transnational Leader II programme; the amount of finance committed to these projects; the amount of finance not spent in this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10563/98]
Two projects have been approved in principle for funding under this measure. The commitment of public funds is £65,000.
A total of £1.5 million is available for this measure. Seven further applications for funding have been received and my Department is aware that several more are in course of preparation by groups. I intend to carry out a full review of the situation at the end of June.
