I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 45, 49, 58 and 63 together.
In my announcement of 2 May last, I set out the details of the selection groups for Leader II and their indicative funding allocations. The budget for Leader II is £77 million — £54 million EU aid, £23 million Irish Exchequer. This represents a 70/30 EU and national financial package in line with all EU Community Initiatives being operated here.
The eligible categories of expenditure under Leader II are practically the same as for the first programme, namely technical support for rural development, training and recruitment assistance, rural tourism, small firms, craft enterprises and local services and exploitation and marketing of local agricultural, forestry and fishing products.
The EU Commission has, however, added a further category of activity described as "preservation and improvement of the environment and living conditions" which includes the renovation and development of villages and the existing architectural heritage, support for cultural products linked to rural development and disposal and recycling of waste.
My Department will shortly be providing detailed operating guidelines to groups to assist them in the implementation of the new programme.