Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 2

Written Answers. - Structural Funding.

Pat Upton

Question:

126 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the projects, if any, that are funded or have been approved for funding under the Leader Community Initiative Programme of the second round of the Structural Funds; the name, purpose and location of each project; and the amount of Irish and European funding provided. [2649/96]

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

I am sending directly to the Deputy details of the names, addresses, operational areas and funds allocated to each of the 34 local action groups and 2 sectoral groups approved for funding under Leader II. The total public funding under the programme is £77 million (£46.2 million EU and £30.8 million national contributions). Further funding of £18.27 million (£12.75 million in EU and £5.52 million national) will be allocated later in the year.

Agreements have been signed with 31 of the 36 groups to implement their business plans. The remaining agreements will be signed as soon as possible. In accordance with the underlying philosophy of Leader, decisions on the selection and funding of local projects are a matter for the groups operating within rules set down by my Department. As the groups are in the early stages of implementing their plans, only a limited number of projects have been approved at this stage.