Matt Brennan
Question:26 Mr. M. Brennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the guidelines for the Leader II programme being imposed by his Department in relation to the administration of the scheme. [11206/95]
Written Answers. - Leader II Programme.
Seán Power
Question:36 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the guidelines for the Leader II programme being imposed by his Department in relation to the operation of the scheme. [11213/95]
Brendan Smith
Question:41 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when operating guidelines to the groups selected under the Leader II programme will be issued. [11153/95]
Liam Aylward
Question:61 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the guidelines for the Leader II programme being imposed by his Department in relation to the administration of the scheme. [11209/95]
Mary Wallace
Question:62 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the guidelines for the Leader II programme being imposed by his Department in relation to the operation of the scheme. [11211/95]
Noel Treacy
Question:65 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the guidelines for the Leader II programme being imposed by his Department in relation to the operation of the scheme. [11212/95]
Michael Woods
Question:67 Dr. Woods asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the guidelines for the Leader II programme being imposed by his Department in relation to the operation of the scheme. [11210/95]
Mary O'Rourke
Question:68 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the guidelines for the Leader II programme being imposed by his Department in the administration of the scheme. [11208/95]
Michael Woods
Question:89 Dr. Woods asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the guidelines for the Leader II programme being imposed by his Department in relation to the administration of the scheme. [11207/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 36, 41, 61, 62, 65, 67, 68 and 89 together.
The operating rules for Leader II were issued to the selected groups recently. The purpose of the rules is to inform the groups of the basis on which they are expected to manage the Leader II programme. The rules outline the manner in which projects are to be considered for aid, the categories of eligible expenditure, stress the need for innovation, set the ceiling on grant aid and indicate the maximum rates of aid that may be offered.
The rules were the subject last week of a detailed briefing session between officials of my Department and representatives of the groups. While we are prepared to look at a number of points which may cause difficulty for the groups in operational terms, the general thrust of them will not be diluted. In particular the flexibility clause which operated in Leader I will not be restored.
The detailed rules have been compiled to take account of the European Commission requirements for Leader II, our own experience of operating the pilot programme, the independent evaluation of that programme and the Comptroller and Auditor General's recent value for money report.
I appreciate that not all the rules are palatable for the groups but in the interests of good management, accountability, value for money and transparency, I am satisfied that the thrust of the rules which have now been specified is correct and will be maintained.