Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Oct 1999

Vol. 508 No. 4

Written Answers. - Leader Programmes.

Ulick Burke

Question:

153 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans, if any, he has to introduce a new Leader III programme; if so, when he will finalise resourcing for this programme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the staff delivering the scheme are unsure of their employment prospects and to the loss these staff would be to local enterprise in rural areas if the programme is not sanctioned and re-introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19112/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

Leader is the EU Community initiative for rural development. The initial proposals of the European Commission on a new Leader initiative, to which the Commission is committed under Agenda 2000, were circulated for discussion in March 1999. The Commission has indicated that it will finalise the new rural development Community initiative later in the year. Until the details of the new initiative are available, I am not in a position to draw up plans for the implementation of the new programme or its resourcing. Until details of the new programme are available, it is not possible to comment on which groups might be approved for funding.