Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

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[Deputy Pat Rabbitte.] Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers develop and maintain a system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is a statutory, independent body, has, since 2002, been charged with all aspects of the assessment and licensing of prospective operators who wish to develop and/or operate a gas distribution system within the State under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002. I have no direct statutory function in relation to the connection of towns to the gas network. The CER, in 2006, approved a new network connections policy, which created the opportunity to reassess the feasibility of connecting certain towns to the gas network. In order for any town to be connected to the gas network, certain economic criteria need to be satisfied as a prerequisite. This policy ensures that, over a certain period, the costs of connecting the town to the network are recouped through the actual consumption of gas and the associated tariffs. Otherwise uneconomic projects will increase costs for all energy consumers. The policy allows for the appraisal of a town either on its own or as part of a regional group of towns. Having regard to CER’s new network connections policy, Bord Gáis Networks, and more recently Gaslink, carried out a comprehensive assessment of 39 towns (including Cootehill) not already connected to the national gas network, with detailed economic analysis based on criteria outlined in the policy. The study was published in April 2010 following approval by the CER. The Gaslink report found that 35 towns, including Cootehill, did not qualify for connection on economic grounds. Nevertheless, Gaslink continues to review the towns which did not qualify for connection under the Study, and other towns, on an ongoing basis. I understand that following a recent review by Gaslink, the CER has recently approved the connection of Cootehill to the national gas network subject to specific contractual commitments for gas usage being entered into. Should Gaslink succeed in securing the requisite contractual commitments, it will enable the connection of the town to the gas network within 12 months. Rental Accommodation Scheme 408. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the commitment contained in the programme for Government to reduce eligibility for the rental accommodation scheme from 18 to six months will be implemented; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7593/12] Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O’Sullivan): I refer to the reply to Question No. 429 of 31st January 2012 which sets out the position in this matter. Community Development 409. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, if he is successful in changing co-funding arrangements for EU schemes, the effect this will have on the Leader programme. [8316/12] Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Phil Hogan): The European Commission recently agreed that Member States availing of the Financial Stabilisation mechanism could also avail of an increased EU co-funding rate for the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) in 2012 and 2013. Ireland has chosen to avail of this opportunity and this will result in amendments to the financial plan for Axes 3 and 4 (LEADER) of the RDP for the remainder of the Programme. 504

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers Currently, under Axes 3 and 4 (LEADER) of the RDP, funding of 45% provided for by Ireland is matched at a 55% rate from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The new system will facilitate the provision of 15% of Irish funding in 2012 and 2013 with EAFRD funds matching at a rate of 85%. The amount of EAFRD funding available over the lifetime of the Programme will remain the same. The changes will decrease the pressure on the national Exchequer to provide matched funding while still allowing Ireland to draw down the full EAFRD allocation for this programming round. This provides a unique opportunity to accelerate the expenditure under the Programme and it is reflected in the increase in allocation of €34 million made available to LEADER this year bringing the total allocation available in 2012 to €96 million. The local development companies delivering the Programme are being exhorted to do all they can to ensure that maximum expenditure is achieved both this year and next, thereby maximising the benefit of this opportunity to Ireland. While the reduced Exchequer contribution will, in effect, reduce the size of Axes 3 and 4 over the lifetime of the Programme, the level of funding remains significant at over €300 million and the Programme will continue to provide access to substantial financial resources to rural communities all over Ireland. 410. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 115 of 1 February 2012, in which he stated that there are 35 local development companies contracted to deliver the rural development programme Leader; if he will provide a breakdown of the budgets allocated to each for projects under the Leader programme; the administration budget allocated to each; if he will provide a breakdown of the total spent by each company to date on projects and a breakdown of the total spend by each company on administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7551/12] Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Phil Hogan): The table details the information requested in the question for each Local Development Company currently contracted to deliver Axes 3 and 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP). Local Action Group Programme Administration Administration Project Spend to Allocation: Allocation: 20% Spend to date date Project and overall allocation Administration Avondhu/ Blackwater Partnership €9,057,810 €1,811,562 €627,452.92 €2,489,877.62 Limited Ballyhoura Development Limited €11,673,519 €2,334,704 €1,045,753.10 €3,380,056.02 Carlow County Development €8,878,177 €1,775,635 €824,872.60 €2,131,126.32 Partnership Limited Cavan Part and County Monaghan €12,035,118 €2,407,024 €964,624.50 €1,733,928.10 Area Part Clare Local Development €14,028,529 €2,805,706 €910,842.91 €3,224,498.00 Company Limited Comhar na nOileáin Teoranta €4,642,415 €928,483 €430,507.67 €882,538.81 Donegal Local Development €12,831,901 €2,566,380 €914,948.59 €2,448,496.58 Company Limited Fingal LEADER Partnership €7,766,780 €1,553,356 €549,750.46 €543,664.92 FORUM Connemara €9,668,965 €1,933,793 €698,531.77 €850,015.49 505

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