GBS update anyone?

Eurorunner

Just curious as to what stage the following are at. How long does it take for an app to be approved?


Applications Received in First Phase:

Co. Clare: Ennistymon & Lahinch

Clew Bay: Clare Island, Inisturk, Inishbofin

Co. Cork: Ballygarvan
Co. Donegal: Dungloe, Killybegs
Co. Galway: Kinvara, Oughterard, Clonbur, Claregalway, Clarinbridge,
Ahascragh, Taghmaconnell, Clonbrock, Mount Bellew
Co. Kerry: Cahersiveen, Glin, Baile an Buaille, Boherbue, Brandon,
Ballyferriter, Ventry, Kinard, Dunquin
Co. Kildare: Allenwood, Moone, Timolin
Co. Kilkenny: Castlecomer
Co. Laois: Stradbally, Abbeyleix, Mountrath
Co. Leitrim: Kiltyclogher
Co. Limerick: Kilfinnane, Hospital, Knocklong, Ballyneety
Co. Longford: Ballymahon, Edgeworthstown, Granard
Co. May Cong
Co. Meath: Ballivor
Co. Monaghan: Ballybay
Co. Offaly: *Daingean

Co. Westmeath: Rosemount, Castlepollard & Rochfortbridge


*= Live.

Xian

Originally posted by Eurorunner
Just curious as to what stage the following are at.

It is currently with the Department. With the closing date for applications under the 1st phase set for September 30th, requests for clarification were sent out around the second week of November, with a deadline of November 30 (i.e. tomorrow) to respond. I suspect that the Department's "traditional" second Tuesday of December (2003:GBS initiative/ESB pricing; 2002:FRIACO/Draft Directive etc.) will be when the announcement should be expected, along with the launch of the 2nd phase and whatever else they have up their sleeve.

How long does it take for an app to be approved?

The above, I imagine, should be taken as a worst-case scenario timetable, seeing as the majority of applications under the 1st phase would have been submitted just before the deadline, with all the backlog that would entail. Assuming all is in order with the application, that means less than 2 months.

That said, although applications should be processed on a month-by-month basis, I know of application(s) submitted in August which appear to have been rolled into the "September" bunch, leading to a three-month wait for approval (remembering that no capital expense incurred before the date of approval is eligible for refund) .

-Toppy-

Eurorunner wrote:

, Brandon,Ballyferriter, Ventry, Kinard, Dunquin

God Peig must be turning in her grave ;-)

To be honest though its a positive thing for these areas, since they are so remote, like Brandon to Tralee is a good hour drive on a good day. I just wondering if there is enough population in some of these areas to take advantage.
-Toppy-

Eurorunner

Thanks for the info xian.

Eurorunner

press release of 8th december

Rathdrum, Co.Wicklow
Crosshaven, Co.Cork
Killfinnane, Co.Limerick
Hospital & Knocklong, Co.Limerick
Brandon, Co.Kerry


So whats the fate of all the rest in the full list above??

Xian

Originally posted by Eurorunner
So whats the fate of all the rest in the full list above??

Some applications I'll wager will have been turned down. Others will have been withdrawn, from being unprepared to cover the detail required in the request for clarification, or because of rumours of an alternative service being made available, or from a lack of commitment to follow through at this stage, or for any of a number of other reasons. Successful applications will no doubt give an indication of what is necessary and what can be acheived with a scheme, so there's always the possibility of the others recosidering and picking up the thread again at a later stage - there's nothing barring any number of re-applications from a community while the funding is available.

Others are still pending. As it is the first phase of a new initiative, the Department no less than the communities are on a learning curve as far as working out what's necessary to get approval - the clarification requests were for detail not asked for in the 1st call for proposals. You'll note that Last Mile, who have put in more applications than any (except Ildána) and should therefore have their process streamlined by now, aren't listed. Given that it's unlikely they haven't applied, the applications are likely to be still in the pipeline. The scheme that put it's application in at the end of August, not having heard anything as yet, have gone ahead and set up a pilot network at their own expense, and by rights their application should be processed and decided on in advance of any submitted in the month of September.

The launch of the 2nd phase is similarly delayed - initially it was to have been launched in late October or November. Now it's being pushed out to the New Year.

Given that these schemes are in it for the long haul, a bit of patience shouldn't be too much to ask while some creases are ironed out.