Leader grant delays
Deputy Nolan complained that the new Leader scheme was overly bureaucratic and far behind the previous programme in approvals. The Taoiseach acknowledged delays, said the process had been streamlined after ministerial meetings, and undertook to have the Minister engage directly.
As the Taoiseach is aware, page 42 of the programme for Government commits to work with local authorities, local action groups and local communities to ensure that Leader funding delivers the maximum possible potential and indeed benefits for the communities. A main concern with the new programme designed for Leader is its bureaucratic nature. Groups find it very difficult to access funding and I am sure the Taoiseach is aware of this. Recent figures from the Department show that just 335 approvals for projects have been given so far, compared with 2,800 projects approved under the previous programme. There is clearly a problem with the process. Only €8.25 million of the Leader budget of €250 million has been approved for funding. There are difficulties. How will the Taoiseach address this and does he acknowledge that there are problems with this new system?
Comment on this
I may have to ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Michael Ring, to reply to the Deputy in more detail. I have heard from people around the country that there are delays in administering Leader grants. There has been a meeting at ministerial level with all of the Leader companies about this specific issue and an outcome of that was a decision to streamline the process and ensure that payments are made more quickly. I am not sure if that has been effective yet but I will ask the Minister, Deputy Ring, to engage with Deputy Nolan on it directly.