Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
815. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there has been any write-off in any LEADER company in Ireland; if so, how much the write-off was for in each company; the names of the companies that had these write-offs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30873/23]
View answerThe LEADER Programme is one of the key interventions of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development.
The programme is delivered by 29 Local Action Groups across the country which for the most part comprise the Local Community Development Committee as the LAG with the Local Authority as Financial Partner and the Local Development Company (LDC), (often referred to as LEADER companies), as Implementing Partner. In four areas the LDC is the LAG in its own right. In previous LEADER programmes the LDC was the LAG responsible for the delivery of the programme in their respective area.
Rigorous compliance checks are in place to ensure the programme is delivered to a high governance standard. In the limited number of cases where a situation occurs that gives rise to a debt in a Local Development Company, my Department officials engage openly with the LDC concerned with a view to agreeing a mutually acceptable resolution plan.
There has been no debt write-off with any LDC in relation to a LEADER debt in Ireland to date. However, my officials are currently in discussions with one LDC in relation to agreeing a debt resolution plan.
I am satisfied that sufficient controls are currently in place to minimise the risk of debts arising into the future and to provide appropriate assurance.
