Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Government if he will outline on a county basis the number of payments due to community
organisations and businesses, grant recipients not suppliers, by Meitheal Forbatha Na Gaeltachta
Teo as part of the Leader programme and when these groups and businesses will be
paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7570/12]
415. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local
Government the current status of the Leader programme in Gaeltacht areas; and if he will
make a statement on the matter. [7571/12]
455. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local
Government the position regarding a community development related matter (details
supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8171/12]
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Phil Hogan): I
propose to take Questions Nos. 414, 415 and 455 together.
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 Gaeltacht
Areas, went into liquidation on 7 September 2011. The group is currently the subject of an
ongoing ‘winding up’ process and in this context the final figures with regard to number of
payments due are not yet fully clarified. My Department is aware of the level of funding
committed at various different stages of project life cycles but a series of administrative and
financial checks will have to be carried out before payment numbers and amounts can be
finalised.
Significant progress is being made in dealing with the issue of determining an alternative
delivery mechanism for RDP funding in Gaeltacht areas, all relevant RDP (LEADER) project
files have been released by the liquidator and are now with officials in my Department. All
project promoters will be contacted shortly.
While no final solution has been reached with regard to the delivery of Axes 3 and 4
(LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) in Gaeltacht Areas a potential
solution has been identified. My Department will begin a consultation process with the relevant
stakeholders within the next few weeks to determine if this solution is workable. My intention
is that any alternative delivery mechanism will be efficient and effective and applied at the
earliest possible opportunity. I can assure the deputy that all relevant stakeholders will be
informed as soon as an appropriate solution is finalised.
Traveller Accommodation
416. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local
Government if he will report on the delay in providing Traveller-specific group housing for
families living in Dunsink Lane; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on
the matter. [7588/12]
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government
(Deputy Jan O’Sullivan): In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act
1998, statutory responsibility for the provision of Traveller accommodation rests with the relevant
housing authority, in this case Fingal County Council.
In February 2011, following regular discussions and meetings with Fingal County Council,
my Department issued approval in principle to the Council for the development of a Traveller
Group Housing Scheme at Cappagh Lands, which is intended to provide accommodation for
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