Vol. 512 No. 5
62 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his attention has been drawn to the consequences of the reduction of the European budget for Leader III to £35 million from a level of £65 million; if the shortfall will be provided from the Exchequer; and if he will give an assurance to those projects in rural areas and the islands that their work will be completed. [24845/99]
Under the national development plan, funding of the order of £110 million will be available to support Leader-type activity in the period 2000-2006. Some £35.4 million of this is to be provided by the EU in respect of the Leader+ programme. The balance will come from the National Exchequer and will comprise national co-funding for Leader+ as well as support for a mainstream Leader-type measure.
Following the conclusion of discussion with member states, the commission has indicated that it intends to finalise the Leader+ guidelines later this month.
Pending receipt of the finalised guidelines, I am not in a position to comment on the areas in which the new programme will operate, or the basis on which groups might be approved for funding.
