Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 March 2012
409 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a payment under Leader funding will be made to an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14307/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are 35 Local Action Groups contracted to deliver the Rural Development Programme (RDP) in Ireland and in line with the bottom up approach to Rural Development used to implement the RDP, local action groups (LAGs) are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the individual group's local development strategy, and available funding, and in line with the programme operating rules and the relevant EU regulations.
There are a number of systems in place at both Departmental and LAG level to ensure that funding approved and delivered through the Rural Development Programme is managed in an efficient and effective way. The project referred to in the question was approved by the Board of the LAG, South West Mayo Development Company, at the end of January 2012 and has been checked for eligibility by my Department. This has been notified to the LAG and the project will now continue through the relevant processes at LAG level which include the issue of a binding contract. Once the promoter has entered into a contract it will be a matter for the LAG to ensure that all the relevant documentation is in place to facilitate payment in a timely fashion.
