FUNDING FINALLY APPROVED FOR BEHY COMMUNITY HALL: I have recently been inundated with queries from the promoters of this community-based project pleading with me to make inquiries with the Department to find out why a decision on this funding application has taken so long to issue. I am pleased now that the Department has finally sanctioned €340,000 in funding. A major fund-raising drive has been undertaken locally with a great response coming from the community and it was unfair that the promoters of the project had been forced to delay their development plans due to inefficiencies in the Department. I wish the hard working committee every success with the project. Question No. 568 To the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of a LEADER funding application for a community project (details supplied) in County Mayo; the reason for the delay in processing the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Dara Calleary. For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 30th September, 2014. Ref No: 36880/14 Behy Community Hall, Behy, Ballina, Co. Mayo REPLY: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Mr. A. Kelly) There are 35 Local Development Companies (LDCs) contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) throughout the country. In line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development the LDCs 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 individual groups and in line with Programme’s Operating Rules and EU regulations. The only exception to this is the requirement to seek final approval from my D epartment in respect of projects that request funding of €150,000 or more. The assessment of these higher value projects usually involves detailed consultations between my Department and the relevant local development company. The specific project referred to is currently with my Department for assessment and I expect a decision will issue shortly.
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:55:08 +0000
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