Rural Development Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 June 2012

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Ceisteanna (365)

Derek Nolan

Ceist:

448 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the Galway Rural Development Association will take over responsibility for the enterprise functions in the Claregalway region of Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29269/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Phil Hogan)

Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (MFG), the group contracted by my Department to deliver Axes 3 and 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) in Irish Language Areas, went into liquidation on 7 September 2011. Progress, in the context of the legal "winding up" process, is currently ongoing.

In the context of the delivery of Axes 3 and 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme in Irish language areas for the remainder of the programme period, my Department requested expressions of interest to deliver the programme in these areas in March 2012. The submissions received are being examined with a view to determining the competent bodies to deliver the RDP going forward in all Gaeltacht areas including the Gaeltacht areas of County Galway. This will include the support for enterprise development previously provided by MFG. I envisage this process will be completed shortly.