Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Oct 1995

Vol. 456 No. 6

Written Answers. - Leader Programme

Michael Ring

Question:

180 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry in relation to the Leader programme in the Mayo area, the number of employees involved in Leader; if the chief executives have been paid since the Leader I programme finished in December 1994; the cost to the State of the Leader I programme; the date on which the employees contracts finish; if they are they now full-time civil servants; the number of Leader employees who have been paid since Leader I finished; and the cost of Leader to the general taxpayer. [14525/95]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

The four groups approved to implement business plans under Leader I in parts of County Mayo had 19 employees (including six parttime staff administering the programme). While the Leader I programme ended in December 1994, my Department agreed that in order to ensure continuity, the administration costs of Leader I groups who were approved for funding under Leader II could be claimed against their Leader II administrative budgets. Although the groups have incurred such costs, no contribution from public funds has been paid by the Department to date. The total national contribution to Leader I funding in Ireland was £13.58 million, with £3.276 million going to the four groups in County Mayo.

The recruitment, terms and conditions of service for Leader group employees are matters for the groups themselves. There is no provision for them to become full-time civil servants.