Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 4

Written Answers. - Leader Programmes.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

115 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans, if any, he has to continue the Leader programme when the present programme expires at the end of 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8531/99]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Leader is an EU community initiative and as part of the Agenda 2000 proposals, the European Commission is committed to introducing a further community initiative on rural development as a successor to Leader II.

Last week, the EU Commission circulated, for comment, a document setting out its preliminary proposals for three community initiatives, including Leader, under the next round of Structural Funds. The Commission has invited comments on the proposals from relevant interests throughout the Community to be submitted by 12 May 1999 and has indicated that the guidelines for the new initiatives could be formally approved before the end of 1999 to allow new programmes to be presented by member states and approved early in the year 2000.