Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 March 2015
219. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he expects to be in a position to assist Kildare County Council, the ESB and eircom to underground utility cables in Celbridge, County Kildare, directly or through Leader or otherwise, having particular regard to the heritage status of the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9570/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, the 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 Local Development Strategy of the LAG and in line with the operating rules and EU regulations that govern the Programme. My Department has no role in relation to the selection of projects to be funded.
I understand from Kildare LEADER Partnership that an application for the project referred to by the Deputy has been considered by their Board and was not approved for funding at this time due to financial constraints. Funding under the 2007-2013 Programme is now fully committed but I expect that the new Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 will commence later this year and there will be potential under this Programme to fund such enhancements, if they are identified as a priority in the Local Development Strategy for the area.
The new Programme will provide €250 million in resources to support the sustainable development of rural communities across the country. However, my Department will, again, have no role to play in the selection of individual projects at local level.
