Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2010
699 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps he is taking to address the red tape associated with the draw down of Leader programme funding from the integrated development companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1208/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding of the order of €425m is available over the lifetime of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007 — 2013 and all expenditure under it is subject to EU rules and regulations.
In this context, a number of Local Action Groups (LAGs), formerly know as LEADER companies, have been contracted by my Department to deliver the Programme and they must do so in compliance with those EU regulations.
The RDP Operating Rules which govern the day-to-day operation of the Programme are, in turn, based on EU regulations and are subject to the same audit and verification requirements in Ireland as in every other Member State.
The Deputy will appreciate that my Department is charged with ensuring that there is no misappropriation of funds and that all expenditure under the RDP is in line with the regulations as set out by the European Commission. It is vital that adequate systems are in place to ensure that value for money is guaranteed for every euro spent under this Programme.
All the LAGs were fully aware of the regulatory environment that would operate when they submitted their applications to deliver the Programme in their areas of operation and they all agreed to abide by those in the contracts they signed with me in 2009.
When I met the representatives of the LAGs last Autumn I invited them to make a submission to me in relation to any difficulties they had in relation to the implementation of the Programme. This submission is still awaited.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department is working closely with each LAG in order to maximise the impact of the RDP in their own areas and I have full confidence in their ability to deliver.
700 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will support a project (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [1218/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I outlined previously to the House, my Department has seen the need to redesign its community development/social inclusion programmes, particularly the Local Development Social Inclusion (LDSIP) and Community Development Programmes (CDP), drawing on good international practice and to support the ongoing evaluation of the programmes.Both programmes have a community development element and were delivered through separate local delivery structures. These programmes came to an end on 31 December 2009 and have been superseded by a new programme, the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP).
The aim of the new programme is to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government and its agencies and people in disadvantaged communities. This will be underpinned by four high level goals:
To promote awareness, knowledge and uptake of a wide range of statutory, voluntary and community services.
To increase access to formal and informal educational, recreational and cultural development activities and resources.
To increase peoples' work readiness and employment prospects.
To promote engagement with policy, practice and decision-making processes on matters affecting local communities.
The new programme will preserve elements of good practice from the CDP/LDSIP Programmes and will enable groups to objectively demonstrate the positive impacts they are securing for local communities. An implementation strategy, involving the stakeholders, is underway in preparation for LCDP roll-out over the course of 2010.
In advance of proceeding to establish a single programme across CDPs and Partnerships, my Department undertook an evaluation of individual community development projects. Many of these projects span across two decades, with quite diverse activities. The objective of the review was to identify those projects that produce tangible, appropriate benefits for the communities they serve. The vast majority of projects fall into this category and have been offered funding under the new programme in 2010. Where projects were not recommended for continued funding, an appropriate appeals mechanism has been provided. I understand the project referred to by the Deputy has submitted an appeal and that officials from my Department have been in touch with them in this regard. It is intended that the appeals process would be completed before end-January 2010 and during that period temporary funding has been provided in respect of the basic running costs of projects under appeal, i.e., grant towards salaries and appropriate overheads.
701 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if funding will be restored to a project (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1227/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I outlined previously to the House, my Department has seen the need to redesign its community development/social inclusion programmes, particularly the Local Development Social Inclusion (LDSIP) and Community Development Programmes (CDP), drawing on good international practice and to support the ongoing evaluation of the programmes.Both programmes have a community development element and were delivered through separate local delivery structures. These programmes came to an end on 31 December 2009 and have been superseded by a new programme, the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP).
The aim of the new programme is to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government and its agencies and people in disadvantaged communities. This will be underpinned by four high level goals:
To promote awareness, knowledge and uptake of a wide range of statutory, voluntary and community services.
To increase access to formal and informal educational, recreational and cultural development activities and resources.
To increase peoples' work readiness and employment prospects.
To promote engagement with policy, practice and decision-making processes on matters affecting local communities.
The new programme will preserve elements of good practice from the CDP/LDSIP Programmes and will enable groups to objectively demonstrate the positive impacts they are securing for local communities. An implementation strategy, involving the stakeholders, is underway in preparation for LCDP roll-out over the course of 2010.
In advance of proceeding to establish a single programme across CDPs and Partnerships, my Department undertook an evaluation of individual community development projects. Many of these projects span across two decades, with quite diverse activities. The objective of the review was to identify those projects that produce tangible, appropriate benefits for the communities they serve. The vast majority of projects fall into this category and have been offered funding under the new programme in 2010. Where projects were not recommended for continued funding, an appropriate appeals mechanism has been provided. I understand the project referred to by the Deputy has submitted an appeal and that officials from my Department have been in touch with them in this regard. It is intended that the appeals process would be completed before end-January 2010 and during that period temporary funding has been provided in respect of the basic running costs of projects under appeal, i.e., grant towards salaries and appropriate overheads.
