Allister demands action from DARD on Rural Development
16 November 2009
TUV Leader Jim Allister has deplored the crippling delays in the rolling out of the Rural Development Programme.
With confirmation that only £1.5 m of an available £100 m available under Axis 3 of the RDP, has actually trickled down in real expenditure, Mr Allister said:
“The delay in getting this funding out is appalling. Here we are approaching the end of the third year of the 2007-13 financial perspective and we’ve yet to feel any tangible impact from RDP or see any significant spend. The targets which are part of the approved Rural Development Programme are in severe danger of not being met, but more importantly those who need this money are being subjected to inordinate delay. DARD cannot escape responsibility for the mismanagement which has produced this situation.
“At this time of severe credit crunch available resources need to be got out where they are needed, not becalmed in DARD through indolence and neglect. Axis 1 funds have an even greater potential impact, but the payment of these also lags with what appears very much like obstacles being placed in the way of the action groups.
“I call on DARD to not just explain its tardiness but to commit to removing the hold ups as a matter of supreme urgency. Delivery is all important; it is being stymied and frustrated. This is not good enough and therefore senior management in DARD need to get a grip of this situation.”
