Vol. 513 No. 3
149 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 projects in rural areas and the islands that their work will be done. [2214/00]
Following the conclusion of consultation with member states, the EU Commission has indicated that it intends to finalise the guidelines for its new rural development initiative, Leader+ later this month.
Member states will then draw up operational programmes for Leader+. When completed, Ireland's operational programme will be forwarded to the Commission for approval with a view to commencement of the Leader+ programme as soon as possible. Until the working parameters are defined, 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.
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. Total funding for the Leader II programme amounted to some £98 million.
