Vol. 505 No. 3
55 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will give details of any discussions which have taken place with the EU Commission on the continuation of the Leader programme; if he will confirm that the budget may be reduced for this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13637/99]
As part of the agreement on Agenda 2000, the European Commission is committed to the introduction of a further Community initiative on rural development when the current Leader programme expires. In March, the European Commission published a working document outlining its initial proposals for the new Community initiatives, 2000-06. The Commission invited comments by 12 May 1999 and indicated that the final programme could be formally approved before the end of 1999.
The EU funding for Community initiatives under the next round of the Structural Funds has not yet been finalised, either in overall terms or for individual Initiatives. The indicative allocations which have been presented by the European Commission for Ireland represent a reduction in the level of funding under the current round period, 1994-99. The Commission has indicated that its final proposals will be available in the near future.
The European Commission's proposals on the Community initiatives, 2000-06 were discussed at a meeting of the management committee for Community initiatives on 23 April 1999. My officials are also in regular, informal contact with the Commission.
